Japan-IOM signed $3.2m aid to flood response, recovery in Bangladesh

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has received $3.2 million from the Japanese government as part of a comprehensive plan to aid the displaced and impacted population in three of the nation’s most flood-affected districts: Noakhali, Laxmipur, and Feni.

According to a press release from the Japanese Embassy here, SAIDA Shinichi, the Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh, and Lance Bonneau, the chief of mission of the IOM Bangladesh, signed an exchange of notes today.

By repairing and renovating evacuation shelters, creating livelihood possibilities, and enhancing community resilience and capacity to deal with disasters and displacement, the initiative will ultimately assist almost 500,000 displaced individuals.

Ambassador SAIDA said he hoped Japan’s assistance would help the displaced people in Bangladesh live better lives.

“I hope that this all-encompassing plan will help the displaced people who were impacted by the floods and Cyclone Remal live better lives.”

The ambassador said that the plan is fundamental to protect populations, enhance service delivery for populations in temporary displacement and promote durable solutions for populations in protracted displacement.

In this regard, he stated that Japan will collaborate with international organizations like IOM and keep working toward lasting solutions.

IOM Bangladesh’s Chief of Mission, Lance Bonneau, stated that IOM is still dedicated to helping the most impacted communities in Noakhali, Laxmipur, and Feni by strengthening evacuation shelters structurally, improving shelter committee members’ ability to coordinate evacuation responses, reestablishing livelihoods, and boosting community resilience.

“Through this partnership, we aim to ensure that the affected population including the displaced receives the necessary assistance to rebuild their lives,” he added. 

In order to initiate a program to provide emergency relief in eastern Bangladesh, Japan has given USD two million in emergency humanitarian aid to the Japan Platform, a platform of Japanese NGOs, and USD one million in assistance to the flood-affected areas through UNHCR and UNICEF since last September.

In addition, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society received a donation of Taka 200,000 from the Japanese Association in Dhaka and the Japanese Commerce & Industry Association in Dhaka to aid the flood-affected individuals and families.