Dhaka, 24th April 2017: Today in a seminar in parliament media center, Member of Parliament (MP) s urged to increase budget allocation for coastal protection focusing children and youth, while they were speaking in a seminar title “Climate Change Impact in Coastal Bangladesh, Protecting Children, Adolescent and Youth: A Case Study from Monpura Island” have held in Media Centre in Bangladesh Parliament Building, Dhaka. The seminar was Chaired and Moderated by Dr. Hasan Mahmud MP, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoE&F), Advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah, Deputy Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament while attended the seminar as Chief Guest. Dr Hasan Mahmud said that Bangladesh is the innocent victim of climate change, those who are responsible the developed countries hardly delivering their commitment. In this situation Deputy Speaker Advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah urge all political forces of the country in a unity to save the country from these climate catastrophes.
The seminar has been organized by the office of Dr Hasan Mahmud MP, Chairman Parliamentary Standing Committee and All Party Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change in cooperation with COAST an NGO and UNICEF Bangladesh. Other guest speakers of the seminar were, Mr Edouard Beigbeder Country Representative UNICEF, Dr Ainun Nishat of BRAC University, Dr Sharmind Neelormi of Jahangirnagar University, and MPs are Jebuneesa Afroz from Barisal, Md. Tipu Sultan from Barisal, Saimum Sarwar Kamal from Coxsbazar, and Nobi Newaz from Jenidaha. Selina Chowdhury Upazila Chairman of Monpura also spoke in the seminar. There were children and youth speakers from Monpura island and Barisal, who are Sabia Mim, Shakila Nupur, Sohanur Rahman, Jobair Rahman and Sajib Uddin. Key note papers were presented by Mojibul Haque Munir of COAST, AH Towfique Ahmed of UNICEF.
Dr Hasan Mahmud said that, Water Development Board has to be reformed to protect the coastal island like Monpura and other coastal and haor areas of Bangladesh, they must innovate new technology; listen to affected women, children, youth and local population. Dr Nishat said that climate change action plan which was prepared earlier should be revised by local expert which is being happening with foreigners now. Mr Edourad Beigbeder urge for more investment toward children and youth and their voice should be heard. Dr Sharmind Neelormi said that Cyclone shelters should be equipped to facilitate women and girls. She also said that reproductive health of the women and girls has a great concern in this regard. Selina Chowdhury Upazlia Chairman of Monpura Island said her island is the worse victim in the front line of climate change; government must take action to save the island on priority basis.
Sajib Uddin a child from Monpura Island said, they are loosing all the dreams including their homestead and schools. Sabia Mim said that due to the climate change impact child marriage is increasing in the island is like a curse, Jobair Rahman a youth from Barsial said good officials should be deployed in coastal area rather than sending them in the place as punishment.
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