photo: Messenger
A round table discussion titled "Strengthening Disaster Resilience through the LCA Model: Lessons from Bangladesh’s Coastal Region" took place at Heights Hotel, Gulshan, Dhaka.
Md. Anwar Hossain, Director General of the NGO Affairs Bureau, attended the event as the Chief Guest. The event began with opening remarks by Zahurul Hasan Sohel, Focal Person of the Sundarbans Coalition and Director of Organization Development at Avash. and Umme Hafsa Ripa, Dhulashar Upakul Sharbik Gram Unnayon Shomobay Shamity.
The discussion featured expert panelists, including, Mohammad Shibly Sadiq, Senior Policy Advisor at the Netherlands Embassy in Bangladesh, Nuzhat Jabin, Country Director, Christian Aid; Sajid Raihan, Country Manager, Start Fund Bangladesh; Rahima Sultana Kajol, Executive Director, AVAS and Krishnapada Munda, Executive Director, Sundarban Adibasi Munda Sangstha (SAMS).
The discussion was moderated by Mahfuza Mala, Country Representative of The Share Trust. It focused on the need for better policies and partnerships to make disaster response efforts more community-driven and effective.
In the keynote speech of the chief guest Md. Anwar Hossain, Director General of the NGO Affairs Bureau, he highlighted the importance of working together to improve disaster response and resilience, stating "There is no specific definition of localization. Different organizations will interpret it in their own ways, which is quite natural. In the Sundarbans region, you cannot just plant any tree. It involves adaptation—whether the planning aligns with the context. This differs for NGOs or other organizations. However, everyone is working towards improving the lives of people in our remote areas. To achieve this, projects must be implemented while preserving the local culture." The event concluded with a closing speech by Hosne Ara Hasi, Executive Head of the non-governmental development organization Jago Nari.
The round table was organized by The Local Coalition Accelerator (LCA) and the Sundarban Coalition. The Local Coalition Accelerator is a joint effort by The Share Trust Inc. and Warande Advisory Centre, aiming to empower communities by giving them a voice in decision-making processes.
The Sundarban Coalition, made up of 16 organizations (four NGOs and 12 Community-Based Organizations), works to improve disaster resilience in Bangladesh’s coastal regions. The coalition focuses on fair governance, sharing resources equally, and supporting sustainable community-led development.
This event provided an opportunity for experts and organizations to share ideas, learn from each other, and explore ways to improve disaster responses. By focusing on local solutions and empowering communities, the LCA model shows promise in creating a safer and stronger future for Bangladesh’s coastal areas.
Start Fund Bangladesh is working as a technical partner in this initiative and financial assistance has been provided by the international donor organization Margaret A. Cargil Philanthropies.
Messenger/Tushar
