Dhaka: Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan has called for increased international support to complement government-funded activities aimed at addressing drought-related challenges in the Barind tract. Zakir Ahmed made this appeal during the closing ceremony of a training program under the Extended Community Climate Change Project-Drought (ECCCP-Drought) held at the PKSF Bhaban in Agargaon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, PKSF highlighted that the Barind tract in Bangladesh is experiencing drought due to climate change, necessitating sustainable and long-term interventions to protect the environment, biodiversity, and local communities. Zakir Ahmed underscored the importance of building local capacity to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
PKSF’s ECCCP-Drought project, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and supported by the government of Bangladesh, is currently active in 14 upazilas of Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, and Rajshahi districts. Zakir Ahmed expressed hope that such training programs would enhance the capacity of local communities to effectively manage climate change challenges.
The training on climate change, adaptation, and mitigation was organized by PKSF in two batches from January 5-16 and January 19-23, 2025, involving 66 officers from project-implementing Partner Organizations. The program focused on climate finance, project proposal development, and field-level project implementation strategies.
During the event, Zakir Ahmed distributed certificates to the participants and encouraged them to implement the project with efficiency, transparency, and accountability. The $30 million ECCCP-Drought project, running from 2023 to 2027, aims to increase the resilience of poor and vulnerable populations in drought-prone areas. Key operations include capacity building for institutions, artificial groundwater replenishment, re-excavation of ponds and canals, and promoting drought-tolerant crops. The project is expected to directly benefit approximately 215,000 people.