Dhaka: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today emphasized the importance of strengthening Bangladesh’s collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to improve humanitarian response and disaster resilience. This statement came during a meeting with Head of IFRC Delegation Alberto Bocanegra Vidal at the foreign ministry.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state minister expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and IFRC, acknowledging their humanitarian support since the Liberation War of 1971. She praised IFRC’s swift responses to natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its initiatives in community-based disaster management.
The state minister highlighted the significance of involving youth in disaster preparedness, particularly through volunteerism in early cyclone warning systems and community evacuation efforts. She also extended gratitude to IFRC and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) for their ongoing support to the Rohingya humanitarian response, including healthcare services and safe drinking water supply in Cox’s Bazar, and advocated for increased humanitarian efforts in Bhasan Char.
Bocanegra reaffirmed IFRC’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with Bangladesh and showed interest in supporting efforts to control the measles outbreak. He also expressed IFRC’s willingness to assist in capacity-building, disaster response mechanisms, and community resilience programmes.