State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Shama Obaed Islam, MP, on Tuesday held a meeting with Alberto Bocanegra, Head of Delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.
During the meeting, the State Minister highlighted the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the IFRC, recalling its significant humanitarian contributions since the country’s Liberation War in 1971. She appreciated the organization’s swift response to natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, and its continued efforts in promoting community-based disaster management.
Emphasizing the role of youth, she underlined the importance of strengthening volunteer engagement in disaster preparedness, particularly in early cyclone warning systems and community evacuation initiatives.
The State Minister also acknowledged the ongoing support of the IFRC and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) in addressing the Rohingya humanitarian crisis. She noted their contributions in healthcare services and the provision of safe drinking water in Cox’s Bazar. Additionally, she encouraged the IFRC to explore appropriate avenues for expanding humanitarian assistance in Bhasan Char.
For his part, Bocanegra reaffirmed IFRC’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh to ensure more effective humanitarian responses. He expressed interest in supporting the country’s efforts to manage the ongoing measles outbreak and highlighted IFRC’s readiness to assist in strengthening disaster response systems, scaling up capacity-building initiatives, and advancing community resilience programmes.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh.