The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (Equitybd) at a press conference yesterday blamed the unlimited market freedom for the present climate crisis and demanded democratic reform in global finance governance.

It also criticised the developed countries for not providing full compensation to the victims of cyclone SIDR that devastated Bangladesh last year and which is considered to be the reaction of climate change.

On the occasion of the first anniversary of cyclone SIDR Equitybd protested President Bush's anti crisis meeting held Sunday along with the heads of G20 countries in Washington.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Mostafa Kamal Akanda, Md Shamsuddoha, AHM Bazlur Rahman, Sahadat Islam Chowdhury, among others, spoke at the press conference held at Dhaka Reporter's Unity auditorium.

The speakers said, donors and World Bank assessed the SIDR damage at US$ 1.7 billion but the country has received only US$ 350 million so far in aid, which is only reparation of 20.5 per cent of the total damages.

They said climate change and carbon emission of the developed country are mainly responsible for cyclones like SIDR in Bangladesh.

They demanded compensation as ecological debt from the developed countries like USA and EU and also from advance developing countries like India, China and Brazil, which also in line with developed countries are responsible for carbon emissions.

They demanded white paper from government, non-government and UN organisation on use of aid money for SIDR rehabilitation.

The speakers also blamed the approach of unlimited freedom of market and limitless greed for profit as the root of global financial crisis ultimately, which is also creating climate catastrophe, causing worst sufferings to Bangladesh.