Three United Nations (UN) agencies have launched a project in Dhaka alongside the Government of Bangladesh to mitigate deforestation and improve livelihood opportunities in Cox’s Bazar.
The project titled “Safe Access to Fuel and Energy Plus Livelihoods” (SAFE Plus) was launched through an agreement signing held in Dhaka, a press release said on Sunday.
“SAFE Plus” is a joint project between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the World Food Programme (WFP) to address environmental degradation through avenues such as the distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and stoves, reforestation, and improved access to food production through livelihoods programming.
Dignatories present at the launching ceremony of “Safe Access to Fuel and Energy Plus Livelihoods” (SAFE Plus) at NEC-1 conference room, Planning Commission campus in Dhaka, on Sunday, February 16, 2020 | Courtesy
The project was designed in partnership with government agencies to increase collaboration between several sectors.
Previously these activities were being completed under a humanitarian program, this signing ceremony means “SAFE Plus” is now a development program to improve livelihoods and lives in the most vulnerable region of Bangladesh.
Economic Relations Division of Ministry of Finance Additional Secretary and UN Wing Chief Sultana Afroz, Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Md Mizanur Rahman, FAO Representative in Bangladesh Robert Simpson, Chief of Mission of IOM Bangladesh Giorgi Gigauri and Country Representative for WFP Richard Ragan also spoke at the event.
Throughout this year, “SAFE Plus” will reach households in the host community with a livelihoods program, technical support will be provided to farmers’ to increase the production of high-demand vegetables and reforestation activities will continue, the press release added.