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WB working to improve women’s odds in disasters

A survey for the World Bank (WB)’s fund for the poorest countries, the International Development Association, inventories cyclone shelters and provides fresh data on emergency preparedness in vulnerable regions of Bangladesh.

Women are much more likely than men to be killed in natural disasters. New research aims at improving their odds of survival. Including gender in disaster planning can help avoid costly mistakes and save lives. Fatema Begum heard the warning to evacuate as Cyclone Sidr bore down on Bangladesh’s southwestern coast in 2007. But she didn’t leave until her home began to fill with water. The nearest shelter was only five meters away, but in the darkness and surging...

Impunity breeds violence against journos: UN rights expert

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression Frank La Rue on Friday said impunity is behind the growing acts of violence against journalists across the world. “Without paying systematic attention to all attacks against the press, without ending impunity, it’s very difficult to ensure the safety of journalists,” La Rue told the Security Council during a special meeting on the protection of journalists in New York. “Most cases of violence and threats against journalists are not investigated, and those responsible are never identified, prosecuted or tried. The sense of impunity is the main cause for the recurrence of episodes of attacks against journalists around the world,” he stressed.

Canada supports ILO initiative in Bangladesh

Canada has announced its support to a joint initiative with the International Labour Organization (ILO) entitled “Improving Working Conditions in the Ready-Made Garment Sector” in Bangladesh, according to a press release from the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. “Stimulating sustainable economic growth is critical to breaking the cycle of poverty, increasing security and encouraging equality. Canada’s support for this initiative is helping to ensure that Bangladesh is better equipped to provide safe and healthy employment for its people,” said Canada’s Minister of International Development, Christian Paradis.

Mainstreaming climate change adaptation in dev plans stressed

Mainstreaming climate change into planning needs to be done at every level, not just in national plans, climate experts opined. The relevant ministries such as water management, agriculture, health and others need to mainstream climate change into their respective plans, they said. They were speaking at a discussion to reveal a study titled ‘Review of BCCSAP-2009’ at Sonargaon Hotel on Friday evening. Oxfam in Bangladesh with the assistance of a Dhaka based climate change study group conducted the study. The speakers in the discussion stressed mainstreaming the climate change adaptation in the development planning of the country to cope with the adverse impacts of global warming.

Political crisis threatening hard-earned economic progress: UN

  The current political crisis in Bangladesh is exacting a heavy, human, social and economic toll, seriously threatening the hard-earned economic and social progress that the country has achieved, warns UN with a release form its news centre. Voicing strong concern over widespread violence in Bangladesh that has left dozens of people dead since last month, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resolve differences over upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for January through dialogue, said the release published here on Wednesday. Ban ki Moon

UN emissary urges both parties to continue dialogue

UN Assistant Secretary General Oscar Fernández Taranco urged both the ruling and opposition camps in Bangladesh to continue the dialogue in the spirit of goodwill and compromise. “Bangladesh leaders must continue to come together. I encourage both sides to continue the dialogue in the spirit of goodwill and compromise,” he said. tarancoThe UN envoy for Political Affairs made the call while addressing a crowded press conference before wrapping up his six-day hectic tour of Bangladesh on Wednesday to help its bickering political parties reach a...