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Bangladesh gets $400m for warming protection

2 August 2013

Six coastal districts of Bangladesh will benefit from a World Bank loan of $400m for upgrading the country’s embankment system to protect against climate change-induced flooding and other natural disasters.

The Coastal Embankment Improvement Project will strengthen 17 polders – areas of diked, tidal lowlands – to protect the coastal population from tidal flooding and cyclonic storm surges.

It is estimated that 760,000 people will get direct, increased protection by the rehabilitation work, but that a total of 8.5 million people living in the wider districts will benefit from related agricultural development, employment and food security.

People gather on a riverbank in Bangladesh to receive supplies from ships in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Sidr, 2007. (Credit: Sgt. Ezekiel R. Kitandwe/Wikimedia)

"Climate change is no longer only an environmental issue, it is a development issue," said Johannes Zutt, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Nepal.

"Adaptation to increased risks from climate-induced weather events is essential for development in Bangladesh."

Bangladesh has over 580km of coastline and those who inhabit the coastal area – around 28% of the entire population – live below the poverty line.

Source: WorldBank

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