The World Bank’s board of executive directors approved $270 million in financing on Thursday to bolster Bangladesh’s flood recovery efforts and enhance its resilience to future disasters.

It included support for constructing and rehabilitating critical infrastructure, strengthening the agricultural system and improving livelihoods in areas devastated by the August 2024 floods.

The Bangladesh Sustainable Recovery, Emergency Preparedness and Response project will build and reconstruct rural and flood protection infrastructure in the Chattogram and Sylhet divisions.

The Washington-based lender also said it would protect 1.6 million people.

Taking a comprehensive approach, it said in a statement that the project would also promote climate-resilient agriculture and help the vulnerable communities with livelihood support.

“Bangladesh is regarded as a leader in climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness. But the increasing climate risks and more frequent and severe natural disasters take a heavy toll on communities and the economy.

“Building resilience against natural disasters is both a development and an economic priority for Bangladesh,’’ said Gayle Martin.

Mr Martin is the World Bank interim country director for Bangladesh.

According to the bank, the project will construct and rehabilitate 79 multipurpose flood shelters and repair and climate-proof connecting roads and bridges.

The bank said these shelters would operate as primary schools in normal weather. It will also construct, repair, and rehabilitate flood protection infrastructure, including embankments and re-excavate canals.

The project will also support improving flood forecasting systems and helping communities improve disaster preparedness by providing boats, equipment, training, and drills.

Over 380,000 people would benefit from economic inclusion programmes and cash-based interventions.

At least 65,000 farm households would receive support to improve agricultural productivity by adopting high-yielding, climate-resilient.

They will also receive sustainable crop production technologies, access to agricultural machinery and improved irrigation and storage facilities.

The project would set up seed villages to supply quality seeds and seedlings, support women in homestead and community gardening, and create farmer groups to share knowledge on sustainable agricultural practices.

(Xinhua/NAN)