EC signs grant agreement with BRAC to support Sidr survivors

DHAKA, Bangladesh, June 29 (BSS) - The Delegation of the European
Commission to Bangladesh today signed a grant agreement worth 13
million euros BRAC) to support the sustainable recovery and
rehabilitation of agro-based and non-agro-based livelihoods in
coastal areas, which were severely affected by cyclone Sidr.

Dr Mahabub Hossain, Executive Director of BRAC and Dr Stefan
Frowein, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the Delegation of
the European Commission signed the agreement on behalf of their
respective organizations, said a press release.

This action will help to link the relief phase, for which
ECHO has already provided 20.425 million euro, with the longer-
term reconstruction and development of the affected areas. The
European Commission will continue to meet its responsibilities as
a major donor during the post-Sidr recovery period.

This new EC support under the Instrument for Stability will
provide much needed interventions to boost rehabilitation of
livelihoods in the Sidr affected areas of Bangladesh.

The action is designed to build upon previous and the ongoing
ECHO emergency interventions and link with the ongoing DIPECHO
disaster preparedness activities and the longer-term EC
development support for disaster risk reduction and food
security.

A joint Damage Loss and Needs Assessment, financed through
the Instrument for Stability, estimated the total amount of
damages and losses caused by the cyclone at over 1.1 billion
euro, equivalent to 2.8 percent of Bangladesh's GDP. Damage and
losses were concentrated in the housing sector, productive
sectors and public infrastructure.

"This additional support from the European Commission
underlines the solidarity which the European Union has expressed
with the government and the people of Bangladesh in the wake of
this terrible natural disaster," Ambassador Frowein said.