LEDARS organized a Semi-annual Meeting of Shyamnagar Upazila Climate Action Group on December 17, 2023 at Upazila Public Library Meeting Room, Shyamnagar, Satkhira. The event was organized under the project ‘Community-based Resilience, Women’s Empowerment and Action (CREA)’ supported by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and the Embassy of Sweden. The session was presided over by Freedom Fighter Master Md. Nazrul Islam. Md. Arifur Rahman, Project Coordinator of CREA project of LEDARS delivered welcome speech while Ms. Sulata Rani Saha, the Project Officer of LEDARS, facilitated the discussion meeting. Mr. Manobendra Debnath, Assistant Professor and President of the Upazila Climate Action Group, Md. Alim Al Razi, Program Manager of LEDARS delivered their speeches in this meeting.

The primary objective of this committee is to actively respond to disasters and collaborate in advocating for various needs of coastal communities affected by climate change. Ms. Mohona Akhtar, a college student and member of Upazila Climate Action Group presented the present situation of different cyclone shelters. She told that all those shelters are far away from communities and for sometimes they have to move neighbors’ safe house. She demanded that Upazila Climate Action Group would take initiative to establish safe shelters for the affected communities. Mr. Manobendra Debnath, Assistant Professor and President of the Upazila Climate Action Group emphasized to engage the young generation with the slogan to build safe coast for future generation. He invites all the NGOs are working in this costal belt work collectively to establish sustainable and safe shelter in cooperation with this Upazila Climate Action Group.

At the end of the discussion meeting, Freedom Fighter Md. Nazrul Islam said, “Upazila Climate Action Group is the demand of time for the coastal people. We are grateful to LEDARS, Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and the Embassy of Sweden for activating this type of proactive committee.”