USAID for tackling flood thru “ecosystem-based” approach

Mustapha EL Hamzaoui, Director, & Zakaria Shahnaz, Project Management Specialist of the Humanitarian Assistance Office, USAID, at a press briefing

Mustapha EL Hamzaoui, Director, and Zakaria Shahnaz, Project Management Specialist of the Humanitarian Assistance Office, USAID, joined a press briefing on Thursday at the American Centre at Baridhara in the capital, focusing on disaster preparedness and risk reduction efforts in Bangladesh.

The event highlighted USAID’s ongoing support for Bangladesh in crisis management, humanitarian aid, and building community resilience against natural disasters.

Briefing the journalists, Mustapha EL Hamzaoui praised Bangladesh for its progress in disaster preparedness, particularly in managing cyclones, flash floods and tidal surges. 

He emphasised the importance of early warning systems, volunteer networks, and multi-purpose cyclone shelters, which have been key in reducing casualties and helping communities recover faster.

Regarding the concerns about flash floods in Bangladesh, which many consider partly human-made due to water management issues with neighbouring countries as communities are often unaware when upstream water is released, leading to sudden flooding, the journalists at the briefing asked if USAID can suggest any diplomatic effort to improve cooperation and create policies to better handle these situations.

In response, Mustapha EL Hamzaoui emphasises the importance of building resilient communities by addressing floods through a holistic, and ecosystem-based approach. 

He mentioned the need for careful land-use planning in high-risk areas and discusses the ongoing efforts to support embankment construction and other measures to mitigate disaster impacts.

Zakaria Shahnaz, Project Management Specialist, stressed the need for further development of early warning systems and sustainable solutions to empower flood-prone regions, such as Kurigram and Rangpur. 

She noted USAID’s ongoing efforts to raise houses and community platforms in flood-prone areas to minimise damage and support long-term recovery.

Both the officials reaffirmed USAID's commitment to continue working closely with the Bangladesh government, particularly in enhancing early warning systems and diversifying livelihood opportunities for disaster-affected communities.-UNB