China, UNDP and UNFPA distribute relief materials in Bangladesh
DHAKA, Feb. 10 (NsNewsWire) — United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations
Population Fund (UNFPA) and the China Embassy in Bangladesh, along with the district administration have
distributed relief materials among the flood victims of Nilphamari on Saturday.
In presence of Asaduzzaman Noor MP, Cultural Affairs Minister, Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner
Mohammad Khaled Rahim handed over trunks to the flood victims, together with household materials and
CGI sheets to help affected families recover from the damages.
In Bangladesh, the 2017 South-Asian monsoons inundated the northern flood plains of the country, severely
affecting 7 million people in 31 districts. Flood waters destroyed 82,000 houses and damaged many more,
leaving 320,000 people in need of support to repair their homes and replace their damaged belongings once
the flood waters receded.
To support the flood response, the Ministry of Commerce (MoFCOM) of the People’s Republic of China have
partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to provide $4 million for early recovery
efforts in Bangladesh.
As part of this joint initiative of UNDP and China, Rohingya women through the United Nations Population
Fund (UNFPA), received life-saving reproductive health kits, medicines and supplies to health facilities
particularly for women and girls of reproductive age. In total 13910 families in Kurigram, Gaibandha,
Lalmonirhat, Bogra and Nilphamari districts received the relief materials and 118,000 women received
emergency Reproductive Health kits in Cox’s Bazar.
Attending the distribution event, Li Guangjun, Chinese Economic and Commercial Counselor to Bangladesh,
said that China “sympathized with the flood victims and refugees in Bangladesh” and “appreciated the
humanitarian assistance provided by UNDP in partnership with other organizations.” He hoped that the
materials would help to improve the flood victims and refugees’ lives.
Asaduzzaman Noor MP, Cultural Affairs Minister, in his remarks said, “I hope this kind of support from UNDP
and China will continue in future, whenever there is any disaster” He thanked the government of China and
UNDP for extending their support. He also praised UNFPA, for taking extra care of the women and girls of
reproductive age, considering gender-based violence.
Sudipto Mukerjee, Country Director, UNDP Bangladesh said, “China has been increasingly supporting
developing countries in humanitarian relief and recovery as well as advance the UN’s 2030 Sustainable
Development Agenda. This partnership is a reflection of South-South Cooperation”. He further said, “It
is expected that after this first of its kind initiative, UNDP and Chinese Government will explore other
areas of collaboration especially relating to disaster management and early recovery in Bangladesh.”
Highlighting UNFPA’s contribution, Iori Kato, Deputy Representative, UNFPA Bangladesh said “UNFPA
supported 26000 flood affected women and girls of reproductive age to ensure their reproductive health
and rights needs and promote dignity of women and girls, improving their mobility and be able to
access the lifesaving humanitarian aid”. “Protecting dignity and ensuring support for gender based
violence survivors in Cox’s Bazar refugee camp, we also provided life-saving interventions to women
and girls,” Iori told.
Among others, representatives from local government, NGOs, spoke at the event. Press Release