DHAKA: The Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom will assist Bangladesh in making protection embankments and cyclone centers in coastal areas of Bangladesh.

State Minister for DFID R.T Hone Allan Dancan gave the assurance Tuesday when Food and Disaster Management Minister Dr. Abdur Razzak met him during his UK visit, said a press release from the ministry Wednesday.
Dr. Razzak told the DFID minister about Bangladesh’s risk for climate change and mentioned the necessity of building dams and cyclone centers in coastal areas during the meeting.

In reply, Dancan said it would not be possible to give assistance in this sector from the current budget. DFID would assist in the sector in future.

Around 2000 cyclone centers are in coastal areas of three crore population. The government initiative to construct cyclone centers is not sufficient to meet the necessity.

“The coastal protection dams became very old and worn-out,” said the press release.

BDST: 1920 HRS, SEPT 22, 2010