Gender-Focused Humanitarian Action Initiative Begins in Noakhali
The Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA) programme was launched today in the disaster-prone coastal district of Noakhali under the Gender Sensitive Disaster Risk Reduction Project. The inauguration ceremony was held at 10:00am at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner's office, with Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shafiqul Islam presiding over the event.
BRAC District Coordinator Md Nuruzzaman delivered the welcome address, while Gender and Inclusion Specialist of the GiHA Project Marjina Khatun presented the project activities through a multimedia presentation. Project stakeholders said the initiative is being implemented in 12 coastal districts across the country, including Noakhali.
The Noakhali programme aims to identify and implement inclusive humanitarian action plans for people living in remote coastal and isolated char areas before, during and after disasters, with special emphasis on women, men, girls, boys, persons with disabilities and gender-diverse communities. Addressing the programme, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shafiqul Islam said Noakhali is one of the country's most disaster-prone coastal districts, where natural disasters occur throughout the year. "Although early warnings can be issued, local communities play the most crucial role in disaster preparedness and response. Disasters cannot be prevented, but effective preparedness can significantly reduce losses," he said.
He added that past data show around 90 percent of disaster-related deaths involve women and children, expressing hope that the GiHA project would play a vital role in ensuring their safety during emergencies.
Among others, District Civil Surgeon Dr Mariam Simi, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Shantanu Kumar Das, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services Safayet Hossain Talukder, Assistant Professor of Noakhali University of Science and Technology Md Abdul Quader, Deputy Director of the Department of Women's Affairs Kamrun Nahar, leaders of social organisations, women's groups and representatives of various non-governmental development organisations were present at the programme.
