USAID funded cyclone shelter inaugurated in Patuakhali

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News Desk

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Mr. Zakir Hossen, MP, and USAID Bangladesh Mission Director Derrick Brown jointly inaugurated a new multi-purpose cyclone shelter in Mirzaganj Upazila of Patuakhali District on April 18, 2019. This new cyclone shelter, located at the Uttor Jhati Bunia Government Primary School, can accommodate approximately 1,800 people during a cyclone and will provide classroom space to 180 students.  The project was managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

“The U.S. is proud to support and continue our history of partnering with the Bangladeshi government to tackle important initiatives,” said the USAID Mission Director.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. government’s lead international development agency, continues to work closely with its many partners to mitigate the impact of natural disasters in Bangladesh.  The USAID mission in Bangladesh funds construction and maintenance of multi-purpose flood and cyclone shelters throughout the country, as well as wave protection walls and earthen embankments, to reduce flood damage.  Since 2001, USAID, in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, has constructed over 500 cyclone shelters in coastal areas of Bangladesh with the capacity to protect 900,000 people during severe weather.  These cyclone shelters now serve as safe havens during floods, cyclones and other natural disasters.

The U.S. Government, through USAID, has provided more than $7 billion in development assistance to Bangladesh since 1971. In 2018, USAID provided $218 million in development assistance to improve the lives of people in Bangladesh through programs that expand food security and economic opportunity, improve health and education, promote democratic institutions and practices, protect the environment, and increase resiliency to climate change.

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