The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE World Bank is expected to offer budget support to food importing nations for addressing the pressing issue under a $1.2 billion package of 'Global Food Crisis Response Programme' by next month and Bangladesh can very rightly claim to have access to the fund that is also meant for tackling climate change effects. The bank is said to be ready to extend support for 'a planned multi-donor trust fund' for mitigation and adaptation of climate change that made Bangladesh as one of the most vulnerable countries.

Bangladesh has sought WB support for ensuring food security - an assistance package, which would cover fiscal issues, social protection and agriculture. The WB is committed to helping Bangladesh overcome this challenge by providing support for investment in social protection programmes and efforts to boost agriculture. Last month, the bank reportedly approved $ 320 million in budget support for Bangladesh to bankroll the deficit created by the global food and oil price hike as the $1.2 billion fund is designed to address immediate needs and support safety net programmes for the most vulnerable.

The WB has proposed that Bangladesh should be the first country after the Bali Climate Change Conference to undertake a 10-year country specific business plan for climate change adaptation. The plan will determine the amount of support that the country would get from the international community. Earlier, the bank said that it was ready to support 'the country strategy' for tackling climate change issues. The government is now preparing the position paper. A recent report titled 'Climate Change as a Security Risk' prepared by German Advisory Council on Global Change predicts 'security threat and economic instability' in Bangladesh by 2020 due to climate change. Efforts should be made from now onwards to avert such threats.