Bangladesh, UNOPS Ink $1.6M Deal for Climate Resilience

In a significant step toward strengthening Bangladesh’s climate resilience and healthcare infrastructure, the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have signed a $1.6 million funding agreement for a project aimed at improving climate-informed disease surveillance and early warning systems. The partnership, under the "Global Fund Climate Change & Health Fund for Bangladesh," was formalized at a ceremony held at IEDCR on Monday.

The one-year project, designed to enhance Bangladesh’s preparedness for climate-induced health risks, comes with an estimated budget of $1.6 million. It is set to play a pivotal role in integrating climate adaptation strategies into the country’s health services, ensuring better protection for communities vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The signing ceremony was led by Dr. Tahmina Shirin, Director of IEDCR, and Sudhir Muralidharan, Country Manager of UNOPS Bangladesh, who both highlighted the importance of this collaborative initiative in strengthening national health systems.

Dr. Shirin emphasized the critical need for building resilience in healthcare infrastructure and improving disease surveillance capabilities, noting that this project will significantly enhance Bangladesh’s emergency response systems. "With the support of UNOPS and the Global Fund, this project is a vital step toward ensuring the safety and well-being of Bangladesh’s citizens," she said. "It reflects our commitment to global health security and climate resilience."

Muralidharan also underscored the significance of the partnership, stating, “UNOPS is committed to supporting the Bangladesh government in building resilient and sustainable health systems. This agreement exemplifies our shared vision of improving health systems and strengthening early warning mechanisms for climate-related diseases.”

The National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), Communicable Disease Control Program (CDC), and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will lead the implementation of the project, ensuring strategic direction and coordination between all relevant stakeholders. Their involvement is essential to delivering the project’s intended outcomes and ensuring long-term success.

The Global Fund Climate Change & Health Fund will focus on developing climate-resilient healthcare infrastructure, integrating climate adaptation strategies into health services, and strengthening early warning systems for diseases triggered by climate change. The initiative aims to benefit millions of Bangladeshis, especially those in climate-vulnerable regions.

In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the project aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 16 (Peace and Justice), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), further enhancing Bangladesh’s contribution to global health and climate action efforts.

The signing ceremony was attended by senior representatives from IEDCR, NMEP, CDC, DGHS, and UNOPS, all of whom expressed their commitment to the successful implementation of this important initiative.