Geneva meet praises Bangladesh's disaster response, pledges support

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GENEVA, Nov 24 (UNB): Development partners, United Nations (UN) agencies and international non-government organisations (NGOs) praised the disaster preparedness and response of Bangladesh in the aftermath of cyclone Sidr at a meeting held at the UN Palace of Nations Friday.
Participants appreciated the government-led efforts in the areas of early preparedness, rapid response, effective coordination as well as the resilience of the people of Bangladesh.
Besides, pledging emergency relief they asked for a national plan for channelling their rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance in the future.
The information meeting was convened by the Geneva Branch of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Director of the Geneva Office of OCHA Kasidis Rochanalorn chaired the meeting.
Bangladesh Permanent Representative in Geneva Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya made a presentation on the situation in Bangladesh.
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Ms. Renata Lok Dessallien joined the meeting through live audio link.
Ms. Christine South of International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) also briefed the meeting, which was attended by more than thirty country delegations, UN agencies and international NGOs.