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Invite interested donors for rehabilitation work in disaster affected area of southern Bhola
COAST is presenting the Project Concept Note (PCN) consist of three parts, part -1 cyclone Aila emergency rehabilitation in outreach islands of Bhola district; part- 2  COAST capacity building for sustainable response in disaster  and; part -3 advocacy for climate justice  advocacy for pro poor adaptation . We are circulating this concept note, to draw attention of the donors / partners, detail project can be prepared based on interest. Donor / partner can show interest for any one of these three parts or integrated approach accordingly. please download the brief  Project Concept Note (PCN)  >>Appeal
Observing World Refugee Day - 2009
Testimony and right of climate refugee: “Give recognition  and pay compensation as ecological debt” 20 June 2009: Today COAST trust organized  human chain both in Bhola and Cox’s bazar district demanding “long term planning to save coastal areas and its pollution from weather extreme events and forced displacement” 20 June 2009, on the day of World Refugee Day , COAST  argued that the current mandate of UNHCR on refugees’ covers only individual who flee their countries because of state-led persecution based on race, religion, political opinion, or ethnicity. The mandate of the UN Refugee Convention does neither cover nor comply the core characteristics of the climate change induced migrants crisis. Considering the notion of justice to the climate change induced migrants and also taking into consideration the article 13 of the 1948 Declaration of Human Right, the international community and especially the United Nations must ensure protection of the forced migrants.  press release in bangla  [ Bhola ] [ Cox's Bazar ] and Photos.
“Your planet needs you-Unite to combat climate change”
World Environment Day 2009 observed 5th June 2009: The World Environment Day was observed in Cox’sbazar and Bhola with a call for keeping pollution free environment and stance against destroying natural hills and privatization of Cox’sbazar sea beach which causes to prompt expedite the change and natural disasters. In association with COAST Trust, Cox’sbazar Poribesh Bachao Andolon (CPBA) along with other various civil society organizations observed the day through organizing rally and meeting. Organizers vows to protect environment to save human in line with the slogan of the day-2009. The slogan is' Your planet needs you-Unite to combat climate change'. COAST Trust organized same program in Bhola district in association with BIDA a local organization. Global carbon emission is a potential devastation for global warming; a rise in sea level, which would threaten coastal areas, the speakers of the programs cautioned. They called for strong role of the government upon the global community to support climate change protection strategies and adopt action plans of the least developed countries for facing adverse impacts of global warming and rise in sea-level. The entire world is now facing the negative effects of climate change. We have been affected mostly due to negative impact of climate change though Bangladesh plays no role in global climate change. The speakers called upon the government to take all necessary measures especially for the environmentally displaced persons who are facing an adverse situation in urban and city areas in Bangladesh. They also urged government to raise voice against developed countries for their exploitation and claimed compensation referring the principle of “polluter pay and exploiter pay”.
Need long term plan to protect coastal areas from frequent disasters
No more relief, initiate food or cash for work in Aila affected areas Dhaka, 3rd June 2009. Based on first seven days of cyclone Aila relief work experiences EquityBD and COAST jointly organized a press conference titled “ Need to change mind set and long term planning in disaster risk reduction” in Dhaka Reporters Unity, today. They urged the government and other agencies to stop relief work immediately. They feel it is imperative to drain-out saline and dirty water form the ponds, reconstruction of roads, and cleaning of environment, which should be done through food / cash for work. Due to the prolong relief activities caused lack of labours in the locality, everybody running after relief, long term relief work would develop no work mentality among the people. Rezaul K Chowdhury, Md. Shamuddoha, Mostafa Kamal Akanda, Sayed Aminul Haque and Sahadat Islam Chowdhury from EquityBD and COAST among others were present in the press conference. please download the Press release [ Bangla] [english], PowerPoint presentation. Media coverage
Cyclone Aila hits southern Bhola and COAST emergency  relief operation
.On 25th May, 2009, another one devastating cyclone (Cyclone Aila) hit over the south and south western part of coastal area in Bangladesh. The nature of devastation of this cyclone is same as previous cyclone SIDR that’s hit in November 2007 and according to the latest government report cyclone Aila caused of human live loss around 172 along with huge asset and infrastructure damages. Cyclone Aila also hit the southern part of Bhola district especially remote char (sand bars) and islands like Dhal Char, Char Kukri Mukri, Char Nizam and Char Motahar along with a vast main land of Charfassion, Manpura and Tazumuddin upazila those are worst victim and inundated by 8-10ft tidal surge during cyclone. This cyclone has caused of death of 18 people and fully damage around 2,500 hector of standing crop land, 1499 km internal road and 221 km of embankments. COAST emergency response in affected area Just after cyclone COAST has reached with a relief and rescue team at Dhal Char (worst victim of cyclone Aila) with own relief equipment (rescue boat, pump machine for saline water disposal and dry food) and salvaged the affected people as emergency basis. COAST has also distributed 1250 packet of dry food among the affected people. This dry food package included 03 kg of rice, 01 kg potato, 500gr of pulse, soybean oil and salt, puffed rice, biscuit, molasses and candle light etc. In second phase COAST has started to remove the water logging from ponds and crop fields and repairing the damaged internal communication with cash for work. The works is being completed in engagement with 0.3 million BDT and other logistic equipment. Photos of COAST emergency  relief operation : People are taking shelter in a cyclone shelter   COAST Stuff distributing relief among the cyclone victim    Villagers  repairing the damage road through cash for work under rehabilitation program of COAST Staff are packing dry food material Click here for more photos.   TV Report : Date: 01 June 2009  on   News headline Date Link Aila sufferings to last for months Daily Star, June, 02, 2009 Detail Govt needs foreign aid for Aila victims New Age : June 01 , 2009 Detail Woes prolong for damaged dam Daily Star, may, 31,2009 Detail Relief efforts in south still inadequate New Age : May 31 , 2009 Detail Diarrhoea takes alarming turn, cry for food, water Daily Star, May 30, 2009: Detail Land remains submerged as riverbeds go higher New Age : May 30 , 2009 Detail No relief in remote south yet New Age : May 29 , 2009 Detail Diarrhoea breaks out in coast Daily Star, May 29, 2009: Detail Aila-hit people cry for food, drinking water New Age : May 28 , 2009 Detail Aila-hit people wait for food, water Daily Star, May 28, 2009: Detail Aila death toll rises to 127 New Age : May 27 , 2009 Detail 18 killed as Cyclone Aila lashes coast Daily Star, May 26, 2009 Detail 11 killed as Aila rips thru coastline New Age , May 26, 2009 Detail       Collected newspaper Photos:
Cyclone proof house has been constructed by British Royal Navy at Kutubdia.
As the symbol of solidarity to the cyclone prone coastal people The British Royal Navy, in collaboration with COAST Trust and Manusher Janna Foundation, helped construction of cyclone proof house at the AliAkbor Dail, Kutubdia, Cox’sbazar. The house has been handed over to a widow named Rojo Bala (45) who lost her husband in super cyclone during 29th April 1991. The house has two storied where ground floor is open and the 1st floor is for living. This is a demonstration of cyclone proof house that can be a model for other people of coastal inhabitants. The real/true papers of the land and key of the house has been handed over to Rojo Bala through a formal ceremony dated 30th April, 2009, where local MP (Member of Parliament) Mr. Hamidur Rahaman Azad, Upazila Chairman Mr. ATM Nurul Bashar Chowdhury, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kutubdia Upazila, local Union Parishad Chairmen, political leaders, local civil society leaders and representatives of British Royal Navy spook. Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director of COAST Trust moderated the whole session. Please download Press release [ Bangla ] , Photos
Commemoration Cyclone 29th April, 1991 “Cyclone proof house have to be built alongside with cyclone shelter”
Today 29th April 2009 a seminar is held in commemorating the 29th April 1991 The honorable state minister of foreign affairs Dr. Hasan Mahmud was present as chief guest. The state minister said that we want to see the cyclone proof house as substitute rather as complementary with existing cyclone shelter.  In that case if the solvent people of our society come forward to build such cyclone proof house for society that will best contribute in disaster risk reduction. He also added that, disaster risk reduction is more important to our livelihood, so that our government will emphasize to prepare a comprehensive and integrated housing policy for our country. Among other Mr. Saidul Hoque, (MP and Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee related to Ministry of Food and Disaster Management) and Dr. Akram Hossen (MP and member of parliamentary standing committee) , Mr A Kha Ma Jahangir Hossen (Ex-State Minister), Mr. Naim Gowhar Wara (Bangladesh Disaster Forum) were present in the seminar as main discussants on the issue. In the seminar there are two presentations has made on the key issue by Syed Aminul Hoque (Researcher) from COAST Trust and Disaster related consultant Mr. Jhon. S. Biswash from Rupantar. while Mr.Rezaul Karim Chowdhury (Executive Director, COAST Trust) has moderated the seminar and Mr. Sanat K Bhowmik (COAST Trust) and Mr. Bazlur Rahaman (BNNRC) was attended in the seminar among others. Please download Press release [ Bangla ], [ English ], Power point presentation, media coverage Online media Coverage:   TV Report : Date: 29 April 09 on Channel 1
Ensure the authority of Fishing boat and Fisherman’s registration system in Upazila level, and at least one life Jacket and ID card/Nationality Certificate to the registered fishers.
06 April 2009:COAST has prepared a documentary film named Jhar Jailla (Native of Tornado) with support from Manusher Jarnna Foundation (MJF). The film made by renowned film maker Mr. Molla Shagor. Mr. Sagar tried to visualized the coast people’s vulnerabilities especially fishermen who are directly involved to fishing in deep see. COAST has organize a premier show on this film at Public library (Sawkat Osman Auditurium) hall dated 6th April’09, to draw attention of national policy makers. The film has show as a part of advocacy campaign for the well being of fishing community. With presence of different stake holders media (both electronic and print) has published the program considering the issue as national priority.   Very beginning, Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director of COAST trust delivered a welcome speech and cleared the audience about the objective of the documentary and explained the overall scenario of the coastal peoples’ survival strategies. The session has moderated by Dr. Tofayel Ahamed while Hamida Hossen, a Human Rights activist present as chief guest and , Marzen Hasin  Murd, short film maker was as special guest. The issue of Coastal fisherman’s life and livelihood has been critically analyzed by Chief Guest, special guest, and other participants through their speech. Among others Mr. Ziaul Karim, Program Manager of MJF, Abu Naser Khan of Poribesh Basao Andolon also took part. The program has brought out some specific recommendations for the policy makers which has been published in a two page printed paper which were distributed to the all participants. Organizers hopes, thus issues will be considered by our policy makers and will take immediate measure for the well being of the fishing community as well as the whole coastal people. Positional paper (Bangla) has been enclosed in the bellow  (download)
COAST Trust demands establishment of a Separate Salt Development Board
19 March 2009: COAST Trust, in association with CARE-SHOHARDU program, organized a press conference titled on “Banning import, Declare salt as an Agriculture product and Forming Separate Salt Development Board to save the Salt farmers” at Dhaka Reporters unity. The organizers demanded establishment of a separate Salt Development Board to protect interest of the salt farmers through declaring salt as an agricultural product.  The Salt Development Board should responsible to fix up salt price in congruence with the neighboring countries. They also argued to Government to re-consider the salt cultivation as agriculture product in lieu of existing industrial product and ban the import of salt in order to safeguard the local producers. Md. Atiqul Islam Chowdhury , Sr. Coordinator – R&D, COAST Trust presented the keynote paper while Dr. Ansarul Karim, an environmental Scientist, Advocate Faridul Alam Chowdhury, president of Cox’sbazar BAR association, Advocate Firoj Ahamed, Kutubdia Foundation and Mr. Sayed ahmmed, leader of salt farmer’s association were present and expressed their opinion on that issue. Please download the Press download the press  release [Bangla], Position paper  [Bangla]  and PowerPoint Presentation , media coverage.  The Coastal Association for Social Transformation Trust Online media coverage:
International Women day observed at Bhola District
08 March 2009:On the occasion of International Women’s Day Acid Survivors Foundation and COAST Trust jointly organized a Oath taking meeting of male against the Acid terrorism and all sorts of tortures to the women and girl child at Bangla School Compound, Bhola. In this occasion Mr. Md Shariar Ali, ASP, Bhola was presented as chief guest and Advocate Sahazan,Former PP and  Mobasher Ullha as Special guest to deliver their valuable speech. In the other hand administrative officials, journalists, business men, teachers, students, non govt. organizational officials were present there. Rasida Begum, Focal Point, COAST Trust were Introductory speech in this program. In her speech she said, “All great creatures, ever welfare in the world, half of these created by male and the rest of these created by female”. Today was 8th March; International Women’s Day 2009.The history of this day was the consequent of continuous women movement. Now day’s women right was recognized in all over the world and it was adopted by law. She also said that this world was not for only male rather than it was for both male and female. We wanted a peaceful world with the combination of relation of male and female. We wanted to abolish the all sorts of tortures against women and girl child. Inaugural speech of chief guest said that most of the acid victims in Charfassion and Lalmohon were the women and child. Men were related to acid supplying and throwing. But lace of workers, want of awareness we could not achieve our desired goals. He added that today we here by declared our position against all sorts of tortures to the women and child. Declarations of International Woman Day 2009 by Professor Lipia Kanum.In on hand movement for woman right in all over the world was being strengthen, on the other hand at every moment  women were being affected by all starts of tortures/oppressions. In South Asia specially in Bangladesh women were becoming the victims of faming exorcism, doers extortion, sex extortion and they were loosing their normal lives. Most of there victims were below eighteen years or old. As a result of there sorts of extortions, Society was being lost its normality and national development was being hampered. We had to abolish these sorts of extortions from our family and from our society. We had to keep in mind that these culprits had no place in our society and ever in our state. We had to raise our sounds in our protest. Our claims on this day:: Acid extortion control Law 2002 and all sorts of extortion control law should be implemented and rapid trial should be ensured. Action should be taken to control acid stocking supplying and transporting system. For acid victims Burn Unit should be set up in every Districts Burn Unit of Dhaka medical college should be transferred to Govt. Revenue sector. Effective steps should be taken to protect the extortions against women and Childs.  Lighting the candle all present guest and audiences declared their position against the acid terrorism at last president declared the meeting end.
A press conference organized by Acid Survivors Foundation and COAST Trust
07 March 2009: On the occasion of International Women’s Day Acid Survivors Foundation and COAST Trust jointly organized a press conference. That press conference was held on 7 March 2009 at Bhola Press Club auditorium. Conference was held to welcome the Women’s Day and to seek the support from all quarters to make Bhola free from the Acid Violence.  Slogans of that press conference were, “Men promise today, No acid violence in future day and Law, justice and Governance, will prevent acid violence.’’’ Organizers of that conference states that, COAST Trust has been working since 1998 for the welfare of destitute, disadvantaged and oppressed women of Bhola district. People of Bhola Island live with many natural and human made adversities. One of the main human mad calamities is acid violence. Many potency and logical dreams have blazed with acid, liquid synonym of deadly fire. Victims are mainly women, and suppliers of that lethal thing are mainly men. So we believe, by awaking men on that issue, the chain of stockpiling, supply and transformation can be demolished.    According to information so far gathered from various report published by Acid Survivors Foundation, Prothom Alo Acid victims fund, COAST Trust and different news papers, at least 103 occurrences of acid violence was occurred in Bhola during the period of 5 December 1999 to 28 February 2009. Ninety-three percent of victims of those incidents are women and children. Like Acid Survivors Foundation, Prothom Alo and conscious people of Bhola we are also condemn that kind hostility. COAST Trust provided direct or indirect financial, legal and support from its own fund. But in reality, the losses of acid victims are absolutely beyond any remedy. Awareness among is strongly needed to stop acid violence. Acid Survivors Foundation has been engaged in this noble activity.  COAST Trust and ASF have jointly taken some plan and program to end acid violence within the year of 2015. .     Some glimpses of those plans are: We have plan for a) Growth centre based street drama at upazila level, b) Organizing International Women’s Day and Human Rights Day at district and upazila level on regular basis, c) Forming district and upazila level committee to fight against acid violence, organizing regular press conferences and seminars, d) Awareness program for the people who use to be in touched with acid, like jewelers, owners and employees of battery shops,  owners and employees of chemical shops etc. Organizers expressed that without the help of media it would not be possible to be successful in those programs. They also hoped that with the help of concerned people from all quarters a acid violence free Bhola would be ensured. On behalf of COAST Trust ASF focal person Rasida Begum, regional team leader Mofazzel Haque Alamin, Md. Atiquzzaman, Abul Ahasan and Fazlul Haque were present.
Forming Board, Banning import and Declare salt as an Agriculture product to save the Salt farmers
A press conference titled on “Forming Board, Banning import and Declare salt as an Agriculture product to save the Salt farmers” jointly organize by Bangladesh Salt Cultivators Welfare Association (BSCWA) and COAST Trust at Cox’sbazar press club on 28th Feb’09. The organizers have demanded to establish a Salt Development Board and set up its head quarter in Cox’s Bazar which will be responsible to overall management of salt cultivation and time to time monitoring and supervision. The Salt Development Board will be solely responsible to fix up the price in field level in congruence with the neighbor countries. They also argued to Government to re-consider the salt cultivation as agriculture product in lieu of existing industrial product and ban the import of salt in order to safeguard the local producers. The key note paper was presented by Mr. Ashikur Rahaman (PC- SHOHARDU) where Mostofa Kamal Chowdhury Pasa of salt association leader and Atiqul Islam Chowdhury of COAST Trust has explained the queries of the audience.    Among others Mr. Badual Alam President of Cox’sbazar press club, Nurul Islam of BTV, FM Nurul Alam, Moqbul Ahamed of COAST Trust also present and took part in the session. Please download the Press release [Bangla], Media coverage
Observing international mother language day
21st February 2009: Dhaka. Today COAST Trust brought out a rally to pay respect to the martyrs of the International Mother Language Day, during 1952 in this day students of East Bengal (the then East Pakistan) lied their life in fighting against colonial rulers the then Pakistani regime to establish the right to have our mother language Bengali as state language. In fact this was first struggle sowed the seeds of liberation movement which gradually turned Bangladesh as an independent country after nine month of bloody liberation war during 1971.
Upazila election monitoring 2009
Booth observers list of Bhola District			download
Booth observers list of Cox's bazar District			download
Photos gallery of Upazila election day 2009		view
Election observers are worried about free and fair upazila election. 20th January 2009:To avoid the conflict and violence in upazila (sub district) election in Cox’s bazar district, a meeting has been organized by Cox’s bazar citizen alliance in association with COAST Trust at the conference hall room of COAST Trust, Cox’s bazar Regional office. With the chair of Principal Sharmina Reshmin, Ramu College, the meeting has expressed their tension and worried for a fair, acceptable and credible upazila election. They also drown the attention from district administration to take the necessary steps immediately to ensure the law and order situation in the respective election areas. This has been found that, lots of violence are occurred during the voting campaign in most of the upazila, but district administration has not played any measurable preventive action to stop the violence. Considering the situation the citizen alliance of Cox’s bazar has been assuming that, up coming upazila election may not be completed in desirable manure. A committee is formed along with COAST Trust that’s working intensively in Chokoria and Ukhia upazila to create mass awareness among the voters and also observe the election situation respectively. Among others Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director, COAST Trust, Dr. Bimal Chowdhury, Juel Chowdhury from BBC, Advocate Abdul Kaium, Saiful Islam Kalim of PHALS Bangladesh, FM Nurul Alam Rahaman Mofiz, Tawfiqul Islam Lipu, Abu Taher Azad, Hossin Rahaman were present and took part in the discussion. In the meeting a mobile committee has been formed newly for receiving any kinds of complain from poll centre directly regarding the upazila election. They are:   SL Name Cell number 01 Principal Sharmina Reshmin 01819321806 02 Rezaul Karim Chowdhury 01711529792 03 Mostafa Kamal Akhanda 01711455591 04 FM Nurul Alam 01712230847 05 Abdullah Al Mahmud 01713164665 06 SM Shahajalal Faruqui 01713328812 07 Khairul Karim Nasir 01711457702
Upazila Election Ukia, Cox’sbazar “Candidates faced the Masses and Declared for Accountable and transparent Upazila administration” 20th January 2009: A meeting (Ensure transparency and accountability towards the community) is organized by citizen alliance with the participation of Upazila (sub district) election candidates and mass people at upazila High School dated 20th January 2009. Chairman candidate Principal Hamidur Haque Chowdhury, Vice- chairman candidate AKM Nurul Bashar Bhuyan, Advocate Anil Kanti Barua, Kazi Salim Uddin, Woman vice-chairman candidate Mrs Khorshida Karim and Shahanara Akter were took part in the speech and answered the questions of audience respectively. The meeting presided by Md. Abdul Hoque, Principal in charge of Ukhia degree college where Mr. Abu Ahammed Siddique of Upazila Nirbahi officer (UNO) as the chief guest. Citizen alliance committee of Ukhia upazila urged in the meeting for ensuring the law and order situation during and after election. Mr. Mostafa Kamal Akhand, Head – HRM of COAST Trust has an introductory speech viewing the overall meeting objective and impact of the meeting. Aamong others FM Nurul Alam of COAST Trust, Abul Kashem of HELP, Proffssor Tawhidul Islam, Delawar Hossin, Ruhul Amin, Abul Manjur and Habibur Rahaman were present and participated in the session.
Upazila Election “Candidates faced the Mass and Declared to develop the drug free area” 19th January 2009: To ensure transparency and accountability towards the community, a meeting is organized by the citizen alliance at upazila auditorium Charfassion, Bhola where all candidates of up coming upazila (sub district) election were present and shown their commitment to work together for development of people. From the beginning the candidates has spontaneously disclosed their future action plan and said that, “the major task will be to work against local corruption and settlement of Khas (government owned land) land if people will elect them”. Candidates also asked by different question from the audience and give answer accordingly, and lastly they made a joint declaration for keeping the peace in post election period. This session is moderated by Mrs. Meherunnessa Rasu (Convener of Citizen Alliance) and gives thanks to all for active participation. Among the six candidates there are four contestants (candidate for upazila chairman position) were present.
Photos gallery of election day 2008
	Bhola Constituency	view
	Coz's Bazar Constituency	view
Interview with NTV on Election monitoring; Given by Executive Director COAST Trust
		"Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of COAST Trust and EquityBD has given an interview on election observation, Election Commission and Role of Local Observer in NTV 3rd January 8.25 am, see the video clip. Please note that, COAST has done social mobilization during election and deployed around 5,000 local observer in the coastal district of Coxsbazar and Bhola as a part of Election Working Group (www.ewgbd.org) facilitated by The Asia Foundation. Details of COAST election mobilization activities will be found in www.coastbd.org."

Information and necessary files of 4,483 observer appointed by COAST Trust to monitor country's 9th parliament election, 2008.

COAST is a part of Election Working Group (EWG) which is an alliance of 33 NGOs in Bangladesh involved in election monitoring. As a part of EWG, COAST will monitor upcoming 9th parliamentary electoral process in 08 constituencies in Bhola and Cox’s Bazar district. In this regards COAST employed 4483 observers; all of them have been trained on the rules and regulation of election monitoring. Necessary information in this regard are as follows;

	BEC guidelines on code of conduct for candidates, Bangla	download
	BEC guidelines for local observers, Bangla	download
	List and contact address of District and Constituency Coordinator	download
	List and contact number of Union Coordinator by Constituencies ( Bhola )	download
	List and contact number of Union Coordinator by Constituencies ( Cox's Bazar )	download
	List and contact mobile number of Local Observer by Constituency (  Bhola district )	Constituency 1 Constituency 2 Constituency 3 Constituency 4
	List of central contact for advice and complain	download
	List of Activity Calendar	download
	List and contact address of high officials and major candidates in Bhola district	download
	List and contact address of high officials and major candidates in Cox’sbazar district	download
	Contact Address of EWG Media Center	download

Election Manifesto, 2008

The details financial projection (Budget) on upcoming 9th parliamentary election is given for better understanding. This budget is supported by Election Working Group (EWG) and split into district wise.
 

Election Monitoring Budget Bhola Constituencies

Download

Election Monitoring Budget_Cox's Bazar Constituencies

Download

Election Monitoring Budget_(Dhaka Principal Office)

Download

If any one has quarries please to be contact with following persons,

1)  Abdullah Al Mahmud
     Coordinator-Finance and Monitoring, COAST Trust
     Mobile: 01713164665
     Email: mahmud@coastbd.org

2)  Rezaul Karim Chowdhury
     Executive Director, COAST Trust
     Mobile: 01711529792
     Email: reza@coastbd.org

Civil Society Alliance (CSA) formed in Bhola and Cox's Bazar for free and fair election :

COAST Trust is a part of Civil Society Alliance (CSA). This CSA is formed comprise with different non partisan local NGOs and civil society group and professionals under the banner of Nirapekkha Nirbachaner Sharthe  Nagorik Samaj (Alliance of civil society for free and fair election) in Bhola and Cox's Bazar district.

 This CSA has called upon a series of meeting titled “Election with amity and to develop accountability” to ensure free and fair of upcoming 9th parliament election, 2008 on following dated at different areas in Bhola and  Cox’s bazar districts . All candidates and interested persons are invited to participate in these meetings in respective area.

Gathering all candidates in one stage will be a milestone for future Bhola.

Today 26th December 2008, A celebration meeting titled “Shampreteer Nirbachan o Jababdihitar Unnayan” (Election with amity and to develop accountability) has been organized by citizen alliance, Bhola. This meeting is moderated by Habibur Rahaman, Editor – Daily Banglar Kantha and Alhaj Sawkat Hossin, Editor – Daily Ajker Bhola at Kobi Mozammel Hoque Town Hall, Bhola.


All contesting candidates under Bhola constituency 01, Mr. Advocate Yusuf Hossen Humayan from AL-led alliance, Barrister Andalib Rahaman Partha from BNP-led alliance, Tapan Kumar Chakrobarti as independent candidate, Krishok Md. Sadek from Gano Front and Mawlana Mohammed Anisul Hoque from Islami Andolan-Bangladesh have made their pledge to work together to develop strong social harmony among the community and also promised to create a good environment for the voters for free and fairly casting their vote along with giving different development commitment for Bhola. They also promised to help the district administration for ensuring the law and order situation during and after election.

Mr. Habibur Rahaman (Daily Banglar Khantha) has mentioned in his welcome speech that this is a historical meeting for Bhola’s people where all candidates are present in a platform before election and will explain their future plan for development of this constituency.  He also expressed gratitude to all candidates and also to the organizer who initiated this program. He told this is a milestone which will inspire the next generation to practice the democratic culture.

Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director, COAST Trust has told that, may be our candidates are different parties but come for establishing peace and with pledge to keep peaceful environment after election. He also said that, we are trying to bring all candidates in one platform before election and they will decide the future of Bhola.

The program is performed through overall support of Bhola Inter Village Development Association (BIDA) and COAST Trust provides facilitating role as a part of Election Working Group (EWG).

Please see the Program Photos, Memorandum of agreement , Video Clips, Media Coverage.

Pledged to create friendly atmosphere and accountability to the community by all candidates of Cox’s bazar constituencies.

Today 23rd Dec’08, citizen alliance (Alliance to develop transparency and accountability)    Cox’s bazar, has organized a meeting at Cox’s bazar Cultural Center auditorium where candidates from all parties were present and given their pledge to create accountable and friendly atmosphere during 9th parliamentary election and after election.

The meeting has started facilitating  by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director – COAST Trust and Professor Sharmina Reshmin, convener of citizen alliance where candidates Hamidur Rahaman Azad and Dr. Ansarul Karim (Cox’s bazar – 2 ), Eng. Shahiduzzaman (Cox’s bazar – 3 ) Shahajahan Chowdhury (Cox’s bazar – 4 ), Shimum Sarowar Chowdhury Kamal (Cox’s bazar – 3),  Litfar Rahaman Kajol (Cox’s bazar – 3) and Saiful Islam Chowdhury (Cox’s bazar – 3) have present in the stage.

Mr. Osman Sarwar Alam Chowdhury, Ex- Ambassador and parliamentarian has given the welcome speech and told that, gathering of all candidates in a platform will be create a milestone for future development of Cox’s bazar. Mr. Ad. Salamat Ullah and Alhaj Nurul Islam were participated in the formal speech.

In the 1st spell of meeting all candidates has explained their future planning in front of the audience in view of upcoming 9th parliament election, 2008 and in the 2nd spell it was an open session for questioning to the candidates regarding their commitment. The candidates have answered of different question and finally it has turned as mutual commitment that, if any one will come out as a parliament member will work together for development of constituency. In their speech this has been emphasis to implement of Cox’s bazar Master Plan i.e. Housing project, Bakkhali river dredging, development of tourism facilities, conservation of historical heritage at Ramu, Declaration of Eidgha as a new upazila, Railway communication, construction of Gas transmission in Cox’s bazar etc.

Participants from different stakeholder also took part in the meeting and exchanged their views with the audience. COAST Trust and Election Working Group (EWG) provided the technical assistance in this meeting.

Please see Program photo, Media coverage.

Candidates pledged for development of Lalmohan and Tazumuddin area under Bhola constituency 03

Today 22nd Dec’08, citizen alliance (Alliance to develop transparency and accountability)        , Bhola, has organized a meeting at Lalmohon public library auditorium where candidates from different parties were present and given their pledge to create accountable and friendly atmosphere during 9th parliamentary election and after election.

In this meeting Mawlana Nurul Islam of Islami Andolon Bangladesh and Major (Ret.) Jashim Uddin from greater alliance have participated and briefing their future plan for development of  their area.

They also answered of different question those come from audiences and pledged to keep their frequent support to ensure & strengthen the local law and order situation after election.

The meeting is moderated by Basher Ibne Motin and Rita Khan with the chaired by Nizamul Hoque convener of citizen alliance and COAST Trust provides as facilitating role

Please see Program photo, Media coverage.

Today 20th Dec’08, citizen alliance (Alliance to develop transparency and accountability)   Bhola-4 constituency, has organized a meeting at Charfassion upazila auditorium where candidates from BNP -led Mr. Nazimuddin Alam and AL- led Abdullah al Islam (Jakob) were present and given their pledge to work jointly for future development of Bhola-04constituency.

In the 1st spell of meeting both candidate has explained their future planning in front of the audience in view of upcoming 9th parliament election, 2008 and in the 2nd spell it was an open session for questioning to the candidates regarding their commitment. The candidates have answered of different question and finally it has turned as mutual commitment that, if any one will come out as a parliament member will work together for development of constituency.

Both of the candidate has pledged to stop the river erosion of Meghna and will work for ensuring the stability of law and order situation in the area. Apart from this they will also work intensively for development of road communication, river transportations.

Mrs. Meherun Nesa Rushu, convener of the alliance has moderated the meeting and Mofazzel Hoque Al-amin from Election Working Group (EWG) provided the technical assistance.

Please see Program photos  , media coverage

Ensure development of rural woman’s considering their contribution in agriculture economy   
33 Rural women honored for their great contribution in woman’s development.
 “Women development should be ensured through recognizing their contribution in our national economy” said speakers of a discussion in Cox’sBazar public library. The International Rural Woman’s Day (IRWD) 2008 observed in Cox’sBazar district thr<cr>ugh organizing seminar, rally, cultural program and honoring the rural women for their special contribution in rural economy. There is a rally showdown in the city covering the important roads where students from different school and college, civil society organizations, local elites, political leaders and cultural groups took part and sensitize the issue in rural people. District committee, Cox’sBazar of IRWD 2008 organize a discussion meeting in association with COAST Trust with the support of Manusher Jornna Foundation(MJF) where professor Sharmina Reshmin was the chaired and ADC(Revenue) Mr. Mohammed Omar Faruque as the chief guest. Among other Shawkat Ali tutul, Saiful Islam Chowdhury Kalim, woman’s leader Ayesa Siraj and FM Nurul Alam took part in the session.

With the same point of view the day has been observed in 10 Union Porishad(UP) which are now playing role as model UP in Cox’sBazar district.

 In the meeting 3 women from Cox’sBazar sadar were honored for their greatest contribution in rural economy, among others more 30 women from 10 different areas of Union Porishad level e.i ; Kuruskul, Dakkin Mitasari, Shaplapur, Kalamar cara, Koyerbill, Baroitali, Tacknaf, Rathna Palong, Uttor Dhrung and Baraghup union parishad also got the award for the same types of contribution.    

News publish on "The Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN)"

BANGLADESH: When climate change gives you a sinking feeling
KUTUBDIA, 23 October 2008 (IRIN) - The sea has crept almost 15km into Kutubdia, an island off the coastal town of Cox's Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh, one of the world's most dangerous cyclone zones. "The sea has been coming closer and closer," said Abdul Mutalib, 75, whose mud hut was washed away 15 days ago.  details.....

BANGLADESH: Saber Ahmed: "I said, 'the island is sinking' but my brother refused to leave"
COX'S BAZAR, 20 October 2008 (IRIN) - In 1991 a cyclone killed 22,000 people on Kutubdia Island in the Bay of Bengal, off the coastal town of Cox's Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh. Saber Ahmed, 45, now lives in a settlement for "environmental refugees" from the island. Details ....

Breaking News, Dhaka, 22nd October 2008

Dr. Tofail has selected as the member of Local Government Commission

File photo: Dr. Tofial meet with the then president Justice Sahabuddin during September 2000.

Dhaka, 22nd October 2008, 1700 hours. Dr. Tofail one of the founder trustee of the COAST trust and advisor of Equity and Justice Working Group (EquityBD) has been selected as a member of the country’s first local government commission, government of Bangladesh has declared the selection to day around 3 pm. Dr. Tofail is one of the founder and life member of COAST Trust, he was first Treasurer and 2nd Chairperson of its Board of Trustees and still holding the position of member.  He did Ph.D from UK on Local Government; he was a professor of department of public administration in University of Chittagong. He is a relentless activist and associated with several civil society / non government organizations especially with advocacy related to local government. His works and full bio data is available in http://www.equitybd.org/English/Advisor/Adviser.html

COAST protested series news on its role in election observation. Rejionder to Dainik Noyadiganta, Dainik Amardesh and Dainik Dinkal news publish during 13th to 16th October 2006.

Dhaka, 22nd October 2008. COAST finance is fair, transparent and maintain international standard, being regularly audited by donors and reputed audit firms as appointed by its board, there is not a single allegations so far in this regard either from any one or from government.

The organization and its Chief Executive has long outstanding and strong non partisan and independent civil society role both in local and national level. COAST believes that such a independent and non partisan civil society role as local observer is important for conducting free and fair election thereby to institutionalizing democracy.

 Please see the details of rejoinder in Bengali and in English in clicking here

Relief Distribution among the victims of Flash flood of Chokoria upazila under Cox’s bazaar District

 Last 16th to 18th August’08 heavy rain falling and fast flow of hilly water created flash flood at the down side of Cox’sbazar District especially Chokoria and Pekua upazila were worst victimize. The immediate survey confirmed that damages made in 18 unions costing near about tk-30 cores. Among the damages plinths of houses were under water, field crops & fisheries wash out, roads communications and infrastructure mostly disrupted. The poor families had lost their scope of daily laboring and fallen unemployment situation. COAST Trust had responded immediately over the flood situation. Cox’sbazar regional staffs made intensive survey and selected most vulnerable 500 families of Koiar bill, Boroitoly, Laxarchara and Kakara and distributed relief materials(per family package of  4 kilo rice, 1 kilo potato, ˝ litter soabin oil). Local Union Parishad Chairman helped and appreciated immediate response to disaster victims.

COAST Trust ensured booth based poll observation in Barishal City corporation election

Strengthening Democratic Institution is one of the core interventions of COAST Trust. In last Barishal City Corporation election COAST Trust had deployed 271 vote observers in each of the 151 booths and 20 persons as mobile monitor at 47 polling centers among total of 91. This was not a mere of voter monitoring and observation this was more then that.  

COAST Trust is a member of Election working Group (EWG is a group 35 NGOs) which was financially supported from The Asia Foundation (TAF). All activities focused on Barishal City Corporation were under a project named “City Corporation Election observation and Civic and Voter Education Activities”. The project started from 1st July and ended after submitting the post election survey report on August 25th ’08. The major activities were as follows:

1. Accountability committee formation: The aim was to promote voter awareness and help ensure the accountability of the candidates for the City Corporation Election. The committee consists of 15 to 30 members with representative from social leaders, professionals, Youths, ethnic and minority, private sectors etc but not any political leaders. We have formed 15 committee and ensured 50% representative to central accountability committee. The committee worked for voter awareness, disseminating voters guides, consultation with candidates regarding commitments to voters in the open meeting.    

2. Voters guides prepared and dissemination: There were two voters’ guides, 1st one contained voter’s awareness, roles and responsibility of Mayor and councilors. The 2nd voter’s guide contained commitment of Mayors for the development of Barishal City Corporation election based on recommendations from a pre survey to general voters.

3. Observers selection and conducted Training: Following guide to observer from Election Commission we have selected 271 observers and provided them one day training. The training focused mainly the roles of observers, introduced reporting formats and planning for Election Day.

4.  Election days monitoring and observations: From 7.00 to 7.00 mornings all of our booth observers were present at each of the 47 vote centers. 80% of them get permission to enter and observe the poll in to booth. But rest were not full time stayed in the booth. After poll only 60% were allowed in the counting process and rest were out side. All had filled the prescribed formats as per guide. 15 ward coordinators and 5 central mobile team had coordinated the whole process to succeed.

This seminar was objectively organized to discuss the human Right condition , finding out the causes  of Human rights violation and  finding out the ways of reducing the violation. People from CSO,  District Administrator, Law enforcing agencies of the goverment of Bangladesh, Politician, journalist, Civil Society Activates, and some victim of human rights violation were participated in the discussion.   Mr. Mufazzal Haque of COAST Trust presented presented the key note paper in the seminar. Prominent  Human Right Activist and Journalist Mubassir Ullaha Chowdhury moderated smooth functioning of the seminar.

Honorable adviser of the former Care Taker Government of Bangladesh & Chief of Ain O Salish Kandro Advocate Sultana Kamal was the Chief Guest on the round table discussion . Superintendent of Police of Bhola district  G. M Azizaul Haque and District Commissioner of Bhola  Mohammad Belayet  Hossain were also present as special guests. Among others, Masuma Begum leader of Upazilla Jano Sangothon of Borhanuddin, Amotab Reza Apu District representative of Daily Jugantor ,  Advocate Md. Shahajan former PP of Bhola Judge court, General Secretary of Bhola BNP  Aminul Islam Khana, Chairman of Bhola Awami League Fazlul Kader Maznu, General Secretary of Bhola BJP Anower Hossain, Professor Mofazzal Hossain Shahin of  Obaidul Haque Collage, Suprio Chackrobarty of Ain O Salish Kandro , Mustofa Kamal Akand and  Sanat Kumar Bhownik of COAST Trust spoke on the occasion.

Download the Press release,  Position Paper, Presentation  ,  Media Coverage and Photos.

“Forming Board, Banning import and Declare Salt as an Agriculture product to save the Salt farmer”

A Press conference jointly organized by Bangladesh Salt Cultivators Welfare Association (BSCWA) and COAST Trust at national press club on Sunday, demanding of  “Forming Board, Banning import and Declare salt as an Agriculture product to save the Salt farmers”. Speakers told that the salt is very essential product in daily life which has no alternative and also being used as raw material in industrial sectors beside of human, poultry and fisheries feeding agent. Salt has been producing by using solar technique in coastal belt areas especially Cox’s Bazzar and Chittagong belt for long time. At present all Upzila of Cox’s Bazar and Bashkali upzila of Chittagong district have optimum contribution of producing the required demand of salt for our country which is worth of Taka 15,000 millions per annum in our national economy

According to  BSCIC (Bangladesh Small Cottage Industrial Corporation) of Cox’sBazar, the participant speakers’ told that, the last fiscal year of 2005-2006 the required demand of salt was 1.14 million Metric Ton (MT) where production stand near about 1.57 million MT. In the fiscal year 2006-07 the salt production stand near 1.3 million MT where net surplus was 50,000 MT. Out of this production, different traders have import average 100-1500 thousand MT salt from Myanmar in every year illegally. Due to this over production and illegal importing over the last few years, the net surplus of salt now stands around 01 million MT according to the statistics of BSCIC.  

Nevertheless the influential traders have been engrossed with importing of salt abstaining the purchase from local producers. They are also evading the government import tax through connivance with the Board of Investment (BoI), which is causing enormous threat for our salt cultivation.   

Participants also told that, due to these unexpected market actions, salt price has gone down taka only 02 per Kg at producers’ level whereas in case of retailing the traders have been taking as tk 16-18/Kg. That’s why farmers’ are depriving from minimum profit and frustration is created which is causing of leaving the salt cultivation by poor farmers for last two years. In this context the participants have requested to government for taking necessary action against the syndicate who are involved in smuggling and illegal importing.

In order to survive and sustain of our local salt industries, the following demands has placed for the consideration of present care taker government, 

1.      To establish a Salt Development Board and set up its head quarter in
         Cox’s Bazar.
2.      Government has to re-consider the salt cultivation as agriculture
         product in lieu of existing industrial product.
3       Salt Development Board will be solely responsible to fix up the price in
         field level in congruence with the neighbor countries.
4.      Plastic paper (Poly thin) has to supply with fair/ subsidized price to
         farmers. This will encourage the farmers to produce white salt.
5.      Government should ask all NGO’s to introduce new or seasonal loan
         scheme for salt cultivation. Government also has to provide low-
         interest loans for salt cultivators
6.      Existing Khas Lands (Government Land) have to be distributed to the  
         real land less salt farmers’ for long term period.
7.      Especial Judge has to deploy in the period of salt season.
8.      Government should declare the interest wavier of salt loan taken
         previous by poor farmers’.
9.      Government should provide loan of minimum Tk 20,000-30,000 per
         Acre in each year for salt cultivation with low interest.
10.    Government should ban the import of salt in order to safeguard the
         local producers.

President of Bangladesh Salt Cultivator Welfare Association Mr. Mostofa Kamal Pasha and Researcher from COAST Trust Mr. Atiqul Islam Chowdhury has presented the key note paper in the conference. Among other participant president of Salt Cultivator Samiti Mr. Mohammad Shafiq Mia and Chairman of North Durong Union Parishod, Kutubdia Mr. A.S.M Shariar were delivered speech from the view of salt farmer and Executive Director of COAST Trust Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury moderated the press conference.

Download the Position Paper  Press release , Presentation and Media coverage.

Online Media Coverage:

COAST Trust and Equity and Justice Working Group organized Jointly a press conference on  inauguration of a new  Booklet for " Climate Change impact and Disaster Vulnerabilities in the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh " at reporters unit, dhaka. Dr. Ibrahim, Dr. tofayl Ahammed, Dr. Fardusi Begum inauguration the book .

In this Press conference COAST and EJWG has present there position paper on climate change impact , there demands and some recommendation. Member of Equity & Justice Working Group AHM Bazlur Rahman presented the key note paper.

Download the Bali Declaration on international Financial Institution, Booklet , Position Paper, Press release, Media Coverage and Photos.

At afternoon: A Humain Chain is organize by EJWG and COAST font of National Parliament House. ( click on image to view in large)

24 November 2007:  Seminar  organized by COAST Trust and Equity & Justice working group with  other 31 coastal NGOs .

COAST Trust and Equity and Justice Working Group, in association with 31 coastal NGOs in Bangladesh, organized a seminar “Risk of Climate Change: Loss Compensation” at National Press club . This seminar is objectively organized to discuss 'climate change risk and loss' in Bangladesh, raise mass awareness on climate change impact and demading compension on the eve of UN CoP 13 to be held in Bali from 2-14 December, 2007. Renown economist Dr. Quazi Kholikuzzaman, also one of the lead authors of IPCC recent assesment report, country's climate experts, policy makers from the mainstream political parties, civil society groups participated in the seminar and call the global leaders to keep on Koyoto commitment. The speakers pointed that Bangladesh is noway responsible for global warming but would face severe consequences like permanent inundation of country's 17 percent land area, 50 percent reduction in national agricultural production etc which centainly will slow-down country's economic growth and MDG achievement. . In this perspective, speakers in the seminar demanded compensation of climate change loss of Bangladesh from the countries who largely are responsible for carbon emission and global warming.


In relation to this seminar, COAST and EJWG has developed 6 policy briefs for educating and sensitizing mass people on the climate change impact. Md. Shamsuddoha, Secretary General of Equity & Justice Working Group preseneted the key note paper and Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Executive Director, COAST Trust and Convener of Equity & Justice Working Group moderated the seminar.

Download the PowerPoint Show( Bangla) ,PowerPoint Show( English)  Press release and Photos.

Online media coverage :

Cyclone situation update from COAST to different representatives

On 19 November 2007 ( 5 PM ):
You are well aware of the fact that, Bhola is one of the worse among the seven districts affected by cyclone Sidr.  In view of our primary assessment which commensurate with the government figures too, so far 31 death tools have been recorded.  Totally destroyed households (including housing and livelihood means) stand 13091 out of which 1422 include the inhabitants of the following chars i.e. Charzahiruddin, Charnizam, Dhallchar, Charkukrimukri, Char patila and Char motahar.  This is estimated to be 3.8% families of Bhola as total familiy in Bhola stands 3,28,540. In addition, It may also include  350 families from Charkazal.

We feel those families have to be supported with essential food and other household items at least for next fifteen days, where it will require taka 4000 per package.  In each package it may include 17 items.

(1)   Flatten rice 5 kg, taka 210
(2)   Molasees 2 kg, taka 80
(3)   Rice 20 kg, taka 540
(4)   Pulse 3 kg, taka 240
(5)   Potato 3 kg, taka 75
(6)   Soyabeen 2 litre taka 200
(7)   Salt 1 kg, taka 15
(8)   Milk power 400 gram, taka 200
(9)   Candle 12 nos, taka 36
(10) Match boxes 6 nos, taka 6
(11) Essential medicine taka 100
(12) Blanket 2 nos, taka 500
(13) Saree 2 nos, taka 500
(14) Children cloths 2 nos, taka 300
(15) Chador 1 nos, taka 100
(16) Lungi 1 nos taka 150
(17) Plastic sheet 18 ft, taka 360
(18) Transportation taka 216.72
(19) Management cost per package taka 180.60

 Total 4009.32

If we want to support all the families, then we are in need of taka 4,80,00,000.  If you give support in view of your own ability/capacity, we will PRIORATIZE the families matching with resources the and also ensure that there is NO DUPLICATION and overlappings.  Every thing will be done in coordination with government and other agencies.  Please also be noted that, our teams are working in the effected areas especially in the Chars since 17th November and we have allocated taka 4,50,000 from our own fund at least to support 1000 families in char areas.  This is the initial support to the disaster victims we are currently providing with.  We are also conducting a detail assessment and survey and hope we will come up with detail proposal soon.

We are also planning a shelter scheme for the cyclone victims who had lost their houses.  We are designing a cyclone-cum-storm-tide friendly house for the poor families living in remote chars.  The house itself may be used as cyclone shelter.   Individuals and organizations are invited to sponsor houses. If not more, even at least one house.  Each one may  cost not more than BDT 70,000.  If the house is sponsored by any individual philanthropist or organization, the Coast may arrange the other logistics such as Tube well and communication.  We will engage one specialized team from Coast to manage the construction in aparticipatory manner and handover of those houses to the beneficiaries within the shortest possible time.  Sponsor’s name & address will be inscribed on the wall of the houses.

COAST has been working in Bhola district and adjacent chars (sand bar small islands in outreach) inheriting a project from an international NGO since 1984, at present we have 18 branch offices in Bhola mainland, 7 offices in Bhola chars, central office and training centre located in Charfassion(Bhola) and also a liaison office in Dhaka.  The branch offices have residential facilities for staff and guest too.  And all the offices are well equipped with generator, solar power, e-mail and mobile phone facilities.  We have one rescue boat in Bhola, another one boat which is working in Cox’s Bazar will be joining in Bhola operation within next few days.  At present we have 70,000 member participants from Bhola, Cox’s Bazar, Noakhali and Patuakhali in our organization.  All are generally poor households.

 We are partner of PKSF for micro finance, MJF (Manosher Jonno Fundation with DFID support) for human right and governance, Stromme Fundation (Norway) for education and micro finance, Commonwealth Education Fund for civil society mobilization for primary education, CARE Bangladesh for hard core/suhoardo project in ktutubdia and Pekua, Cox’s Bazar.  For details please visit www.coastbd.org, we have some cyclone update and photos available there too.

We are looking forward for your responses.  I am always available in my hand held mobile +8801711529792 in Dhaka, Sanat K Bhowmik in Bhola, mobile no. +8801711881662 and Dr Tofail Ahmed, Trustee BOT, Coast Trust. Mobile +8801711354545, e-mail: ahmedt_dr@yahoo.com.

On 16 November 2007:Cyclone SIDR which is in between category 4 to 5 (but with 70 km radius, one fourth then Katrina) , with the wind speed of 220 km per hour, the second major in last one decade hits Bangladesh coast especially in the region of Khulna and Barisal last evening. To receive full assessment of damages and human casualties nationally will take time at least it next 24 hours.

COAST is working in coastal districts of Bhola, Coxsbazar, Noakhali and Patuakhali, especially with full coverage in Bhola and Coxsbazar. Bhola district has fallen in the side line of main cyclone eye radius. We have had snapped communication with Char Nizam (5000 inhabitants) during last night 8 pm, no communication with Dhal Char  (10000 inhabitants) and Char Kukri Mukri (15000 inhabitants) since 11 pm of last night, it is reported that those three chars (small sand bar islands) inundated with 8 to 10 fit high tidal surge. Two rescue boat  with emergency relief materials with our disaster team has started from Charfassion during 12.30 pm of today.

Apart from those remote chars there are tidal water surge in Char kazal, Char Motahra and Dasmina within 3 to 5 fits, but these offices within our communication.

In primary assesment  25 % houses of Charzahiruddin, Monpura islands plus all above mentioned 6 Chars have been damaged, rate of house damages in Chaarkazal is high.

 
We hope that, by early evening we will be able to establish communication with those islands, we have  residential offices there, you can also communicate with them dirrectly , and these are within mobile network, the mobile numbers are Charkukri Mukri (Dipak 01713164641), Dhal Char (Ramesh 01713164642, Azhar Master 01713024164) and Char Nizam (Waziullah 01713367444), hope they will be able to resume communication.

Regarding damages, there are all most 50 % houses along side with 250 km of  embankement in Bhola has damages. Please note that these are the hard core poor familes lives in goverment embankment land, it is around 0.3 millions populations.  In Bhola mainland house damages are aroud 5 %. Standing crops especially Aman crop has totally damages. Intrusion of saline water has happened in the islands of Kutubdia, Moheskhali, Bhola (Southern part, Betua) and Charkazal of Patuakhali has reported, which will create health hazard as it has polluted ponds which is  water source for family use. Except two from Monpura islands there no reports on human casualties we have received, those two poor people has died out of heart attack while they are coming to cyclone shelters.

Please note that this is number eleven cyclone in this monsoon session gone signal up then no. 3, and this is highest. These are one episode of  inevitable fate from Hundreds for 20 millions of Bangladeshi coastal population, facing catastrophic impact of climate change, although they are hardly responsible for it.

 On 16 November 2007: So far death tool reported 250, in Bhola 15, there are no power in capital and also most part of the country for last 18 hours, it might continue, GP the mobile company whose mobile and GPRS Internet service we are using, it was running last 18 hours with back up support, they have announced if there are no grid power resumed it might also be disrupted, so we do not how long we can continue the communication. 

The best way to get updated news on Bangladesh it is in  www.bdnews24.com. We might be out of communication at any moment.

 On 16 November 2007:So far death tools in Bhola has raised to 24 numbers, and in all the coastal area it is around 650.

There are only 500 megawatt power has resumed, while it is needed 4200 megawatt, power board chairman told that it will require minimum 3 days, Dhaka is likes a night doom, in some parts of the city robbery has reported.

 On 17 November 2007:Our team has just completed the visit in Charkukrimukri, Dhal Char and Charnizam, there are no human casualties, only houses has damaged which is around 30 %, standing crops has totally damaged in all the char areas including Charzahiruddin, Charmotahar and Monpura, our office in Charpatila  has up rotted completely. There 26 death tool reported from Bhola mainlands, most of the death are old people, they have died either on the way to cyclone shelter or due to heart attack or house collapse.  We are waiting for the team report from Charkazal, Doshmina and Golachipa.

In all the places we are continuing our relief operation.

We worse impact has happened in the districts of Bagherhat, especially in the upazila of Sharonkola and Moralganaja, still which are out of reach, then next districts are Baragona, Ferozpur and Patuakhali, we are not working there. So far nationally death tool reported 1000, personally I feel it will goes up to not less then 5000, I will not be astonished if it will cross more, in fact there are no reporting on fishing boat and fishermen loss in the bay,  usually it takes 7-10 days to get actual statistics especially on death tools.

Power has resumed in some part of the city from last night in Dhaka, but still it is 1700 megawatt, while the total need around minimum 3500. I am putting some news paper links;

● To View Photos on Cyclone Affected Area , Please Click here.>> Photos

● Brief concept paper on Post SIDR rehabilitation and development program in Bhola and Patuakhali districts Bangladesh. >> Appeal

10 August  2007:  Peoples participation and accountability of UP is fundamental to make dynamic local government body, said Mr. Sazzadul Hasan, Deputy Commissioner of Cox’sBazar in an annual program on open budget  of Kuruskul Union Porishod. Mr. Sazzadul also unveiled the cover page of “Agrojattra” an annual report published by the said union parishod dated 10th August’07 whereas Dr. Tofayel Ahamed, professor of public Administration, Chittagong University, Abdul Mabud  UP chairman and respective members were present. This program was organized by Kuruskul Unioun Porishod in collaboration with COAST Trust. Different stakeholders from district administration and civil society were present in the program and have given their feedback on UP annual budget and activities.  

3 August  2007:  Press conference organized by Cox’sBazar NGO alliance regarding on Loan realized by Chief Adviser.

A press conference at Cox’sBazar press club was organized by Cox’sBazar NGO alliance at 10 AM on 3rd August 2007 regarding on loan realization by Chief Adviser on behalf of two loanee farmer of Chokoria. It was published in daily news paper that, two poor farmers were sent to jail for their loan, received from an NGO. But actually, they were arrested by police administration and sent to jail to torture a female NGO staff during her field visit. In view of that case, Cox’sBazar NGO alliance organized the press conference to clarify the real fact.

The keynote paper was presented by Mokbul Ahammed with the chaired of Ataher Iqbal, president of Cox’sBazar press club. With the presence of Saiful Islam Kalim convener of Cox’sBazar NGO alliance, Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director of COAST Trust, Sarmina Reshmin from Cox’s Bazar Bachaon Andolon, has addressed in the session.     

Download the Position Paper(43KB) , Press release(40.5KB),   FIR(343kb jpeg ), Case Application (435 kb jpeg) , Letter to Chief Adviser (335kb jpeg) , Photos & Media Coverage .            

Online Media Coverage :       

12 July  2007:  According to PRSP proposal,  primary level school feeding system should be implemented with community involvement.

Ensuring primary education to all children is a constitutional obligation of Bangladesh which could be achieved by ensuring equal participation of children in school. But the different survey report shows that drop-out rate from rural primary school is significantly high-as community people are not involved in the functionary management of the school-says most of the discussant present in the round table discussion on ‘Implementation of School Feeding Program in Primary School’ was organized at the National Press Club by the COAST Trust, a leading NGO. Although a number of national and international agencies are implementing school feeding in different rural areas as piece meal basis but all these are highly input based and unsustainable in nature as community participation is ignored. This conference discussed to introduce a new-strategy of feeding through involving local communities and using community based resources. This strategy, in one hand, will make feeding program low-cost and sustainable and, on the other hand, will create local level employment scope; thus will reduce local level poverty.    The keynote paper is presented by  Saiful Islam, Coordinator Education  Policy Resource and Moderated by Dr. Tofail Ahmad Trusty member of COAST Trust and  presided by Aminur Rasul.  

Download the Position Paper(101KB) , Press release(37.5KB),  Presentation (2.64mb) Media Coverage and Photos.

Online Media Coverage :       

08 July  2007:  Safe Water way : 4 anniversary of MV Nasrin Launch Accident "  

 The press conference on safe water way was jointly  organized by  Shipping and communication Reporters forum & Nirapath Nawpath Bastobaion Jot (Alliance of  Safe waterway implementation ) in the eve "4th anniversary of MV Nasrin Launch Accident" at the National Press Club Conference room dated on July 08, 2007. The position papers presented by Mr. Aminur Rasul Babul, national coordinator  of Nirapath Naupath Bastobain Joat

Download the Position Paper , Press release and Media Coverage .

 Online Media Coverage :       

26 May  2007:  Climate Change: Potential Threat and Coastal Vulnerabilities

Almost two crore  people will be Environmental Refuge in Bangladesh  due to climate change

 The press conference was organized by COAST Trust, a leading coastal NGO, on the eve of the upcoming G-8 summit and Environmental Day at the National Press Club VIP auditorium dated on May 26, 2007. The title of the position paper presentation was “Climate Change: Potential Threat and Coastal Vulnerabilities”. There are six position papers presented by Mr. Mahmud Salim and Mr. Atiqul Islam Chowdhury from the Research Cell of COAST Trust.

Download the Position Paper

Factors of Climate Change: Global Warming is the Major Ground	English	Bangla
Measures to combat Climate Change: The Kyoto Protocol	English	Bangla
Increasing Salinity Threatens Productivity of Bangladesh	English	Bangla
Salinity threatens the World Heritage :The Sundarban of Bangladesh	English	Bangla
Climate Change: River Erosion in Bangladesh	English	Bangla
Sea level rise: A potential threat to: Environmental Refugee	English	Bangla

 Click here for press release [Bangla] , Presentation1 , Presentation2 , Presentation3 , Media Coverage , Photos.

 Online Media Coverage :       

 Television Media Coverage      

E-Newsletter on climate Chang ( English / Bangle )

Meeting with civil society on  "Climate Change: Potential Threat and Coastal Vulnerabilities"  at the Cox's bazar Press Club dated on June 04 2007 .

 Click here for press release [Bangla] .

29 April 2007: 16^th Anniversary of 1991cyclone observed

Call for Coastal Management Authority, Implementation of Coastal Management Policy demanded .

We need to establish coastal management authority to prevent and manage disaster. Participants at a seminar Sunday demanded iimplementation of coastal management policy and setting up of a coastal management authority to face future calamities saving lives and property. The seminar was arranged to mark the 16th anniversary of a devastating cyclone with sea surges which swept the country’s coastal areas killing an estimated 138,000 people and destroying huge property. The seminar on ‘Role of Mangrove Forest in Natural Disasters: Potentials and Threats’ was organized at the National Press Club by the COAST Trust, a leading NGO of Coastal areas of Bangladesh. Coast Research Coordinator Mahmud Salim presented the keynote paper.

Find the Position Paper(Bangla ),Position Paper (English),  press release [Bangla], [English] , Presentation , photos, Media Coverage  here.

Online Media Coverage :       

An exclusive interview with   BBC Bangle  Service

3 February 2007: Save the ecology of Cox’s Bazar

Forests, Hills disappearing fast in Cox’s Bazar, land grabbers enjoy blessings of administration officials

 A section of unscrupulous employees of the forest department and Cox’s Bazar district administration are bulldozing hills and felling hundreds of valuable trees along the coastal area under sadar upazila in the district, endangering the environment. Lawyers and environmentalists at a press conference today vowed to launch legal fight and mass campaign to protect forest lands and hills being cut by some vested quarters in Cox’s Bazar. The press conference was jointly organized by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA), Cox’s Bazar Bachaon Andolon, PHALS, Cox’s Bazar district press club and COAST Trust at the conference room of the Dhaka Reporter’s Unity. Mr. Mahmud Salim, Senior Coordinator of COAST Trust presented the keynote paper with video documentation.

Click >> Picture of bulldozing hills .

Find the Position Paper, Memorandum, Media Coverage, Media Follow-up,  press release [Bangla] , press release [English] , Key Note Paper [ Bangla ]  Presentation , photos  and Satellite Photo are available here.

3 January 07: First time Internet Services at Kutubdia

Coastal Rural Knowledge Center (CRKC)

COAST trust, is a NGO working in the coastal belt of Bangladesh to promote the livelihood of the coastal people through providing the basic needs like education, information technology and other services. In this context COAST has established a Coastal Rural Knowledge Center (CRKC) in the remote island Kutubdia to ensuring the ICT facilities in local level.The center will provide an opportunity among students and rural youths to be oriented with the laptop computer in the island where electricity is yet to reach. The opening ceremony was held on 2 nd January'07 at kutubdia high school with the chaired by Mr. Delower Hossin , Chairperson of school mgt. committee. The executive Director of COAST Trust Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury has inaugurated the ceremony where many people from different walks of society attended in the program. The chief guest Mr. R.K Chowdhury addressed in the session, this ICT center will be a knowledge center for the students and professional in the remote island. Through proper using of this center people will get internet facilities like Email, website browsing and livelihood information. With the introduction of Internet service, rural youths and students will come under the fold of information technology and move forward along with the urban youths. He also emphasis on learning English and speaking English in school level. In global contest - without learning English, no nation can create any space for his development.

Details  photos and media coverage are available here.

15th October: World Rural Women’s Day 2006

Rural Women, Leaders of Tomorrow

Like every year, this year COAST Trust observed World Rural Women’s Day with due respect and festivity. The day’s slogan of this year was “Rural Women, Leaders of Tomorrow”. Around 80% of our people live in rural area, among them 50% are women. So, if we want a democratic & participatory process, women leasers should come forward.

This year almost 50 districts observed the day with their own initiative, regardless of donor support. They organized press conference, hold mass gathering, rally & human chain. click here to read an article, which has published in the daily newspaper on 28 October 2006. 

Sudden Cyclone of September 2006 : Livelihood of Poor Coastal Fishermen

Dhaka 05^th October 2006: Today 10 coastal NGOs & Partner organization including COAST has organized a round table to commemorate great cyclone of 19- 23 September, 2006, around thousand of coastal people has died with a lot of damages. Please find the Bangla press release , Presentation , final report [ Bangla ]     [ English ] read out in the press conference, photos and media coverage are available here.

Commemorating 29^th April of 1991 the great cyclone day

Local government and CPP program have to be strengthened.

World Bank will not give even 78 taka, while it has given 78 thousand corers as loan for flood rehabilitation.

Dhaka, 29^th April 2006. Today in 18 coastal NGOs including COAST has organized a seminar to commemorate great cyclone of 29^th April 1991, around 1.30 lac of coastal people has died with a lot of damages. The seminar title “Is Bangladesh Coastal Area Prepared for Risk Related to Climate Change?” The seminar was attended by State Minister for Communication Salahuddin Ahmed MP, Chairman Parliamentary Standing Committee Nazim Uddin Alam MP (Member of Parliament), MPs of opposition K M Zahangir and Ponnhcanon Biswas, MPs from party in power Alamgir Mahfuzullah Farid, Engineer Sahiduzzaman, Mohammed Ali, Moazzem Hossain Alal, Tasmin Rana and Bilkis Jahan Shirin. A paper on issues related to climate change and possible risk has been presented by Md. Shamsuddoha of COAST.

Apart from MP Secretary Election Commission Md. Zokoria, Senior Assistant Secretary of Finance Ministry Monjurul Anwar, Naim Gather Wara of SCF (UK), and Rafiqul Islam of DUS Hatiya spoke on the seminar. The seminar was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury and Sanat Kumar Bhowmik of COAST.

The State Minister criticized the role of developing countries that their inaction in reducing emission of carbon gas, he also criticized the role of World Bank who do not provide any loan or grant for cyclone protection, rather they are interested on floof rehabilitation. Naim Gohar Wara of SCF UK said that CPP program of Red Crescent have to be strengthen which is the fundamental to the cyclone preparedness, he also said there are no alternative then giving importance to local government for all prevention and rehabilitation work in this regard.

This is a very draft press release in English, please see Bangla  press release (pdf-Bangla-59.8 kb), presentation paper which is also in Bangla and photos.

Press Conference by Save Kutubdia Movement on the eve of commemorating 29^th April’91 the great cyclone day.

People’s Enquiry Commission Needed to do Enquiry on Construction of Embankment: Deploy Army Engineering Core for Construction of Embankment to Save Kutubdia.

Dhaka 28^th April 2006. On the eve of commemorating the 29^th April the great cyclone day of 91, Save Kutubdia movement have had a press conference in National Press Club Dhaka. Save Kutubdia movement is a local movement from the island of Kutubdia, where the highest damage have had happened due to the 91 cyclone, around 20 thousand people has died. But still the island Kutubdia is more unsafe then past. Leaders of the Save Kutubdia movement demanded people’s enquiry commission with membership of a judge, the commission should examine the money expenses by BWDB since 1970 which being misappropriated by the leaders of political parties, bureaucrats and contractors, the commission should also suggest alternatives of approaches apart of BWDB work to save Kutubdia.

All most all the works during present government regime was limited within 3 people who are the most powerful leaders of present government party. Leaders of Save Kutubdia movement given statistical examples on misappropriations since historical period. They have also blamed the land grabbing and embankment cutting of present leaders of party in power which is making the island more vulnerable even now.

The leaders of the Save Kutubdia movement who have attended the press conference were Shahrier Kutubi, Chairman North Dhurung Union Parishad, Professor Naziullah, Shamsul Huda Siddique, Journalist Liton Kutubi, Ziaul Karim Chowdhury, AFM Nurul Alam and others. They have answered different questions of attended journalist of different media. Shahrier Kutubdia read out the statement of Save Kutubdia movement. Please find the bangla press release(pdf-Bangla-55.8 kb), statement (pdf-Bangla-164 kb)read out in the press conference which is also in bangla and photos.

This is draft release on 28^th April, within next seven days there will be final english version of all these along with more papers and information. Please follow the seminar of Climate Change which will be held on 29^th April 2006, 10-12 at CIRDAP auditorium.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director of COAST Trust says in a talk show entitled ‘Post-Budget Discussion: Grassroots thinking on PRSP and Budget’ in the Ajker Shokal in NTV on 12 June 2005

"It would be better to increase the price of Octane and Petrol instead of Diesel, Kerosene as the fuel of the poor"
Please see details here for Bangla version

COAST initiatives in the Coral Island St. Martin

St. Martin's Island is a 600 Hector island lying 10 km south of the southern tip of Teknaf peninsula in the Cox's Bazar District. The island is Dumbbell shaped and characterized by large areas of sand dune and scattered mangroves. Saint Martin is the only island in Bangladesh that has coral reef. The climate is governed by the subtropical monsoon, which largely occurs from May-August, with up to 1000 mm of rainfall in a single month. details

 Kulsumbag Charfassion, Bhola 8340 Bangladesh
Tel: (+88 0491)55960, 138, 140 (+88)0171-3450983
E-mail: cmc@coastbd.org

COAST Principal office( CPO ):
House# 9/4, Road# 2, Shyamoli, Dhaka 1207 Bangladesh
Tel: (+88 02) 812 5181, 815 4673, (+88)0171 401 4203, Fax: (+88 02) 9129395
Email: info@coastbd.org

visitors since 2000

Last Modified: Thursday, 03 January 2002 05:09:39 AM +0600
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Download TAM Minutes
November 08

Meeting minutes of 49th Board of Trustee (BoT) of COAST Trust held at
principal office Dhaka,
dated 27th December 2008 . Detail

::Strengthening local government
 Daily Star , Jan 17, 2008:
Detail
::Climate deal runs into trouble with US
The Daily Star : Dec 17, 2007
Detail

::Bali conference roadmap
The Daily Star : Dec 17, 2007
Detail

Climate issue linked to development agenda
The Daily Star : Dec 16, 2007
Detail

::Climate deal sealed by US U-turn
The Daily Star : Dec 16, 2007
Detail

::Bali climate conference ends with watered-down declaration
New Age : Dec 16, 2007
Detail

::Watered-down declaration likely as Bali summit lingers
New Age : Dec 15, 2007
Detail

::Bali embarks on ‘threat’ tactics
New Age : Dec 15, 2007
Detail
::Bali conference on climate change
The Daily Star : Dec 13, 2007
Detail

::Climate change deal tougher
than trade talks: WTO chief
New Age : Dec 12, 2007
Detail

::Dhaka backs out from speaking for LDCs, Malé steps in
New Age : Dec 12, 2007
Detail

::Climate change could lead to conflict, instability: UN
The Daily Star : Dec 11, 2007
Detail

::Global climate game of villains & victims
The Daily Star : Dec 10, 2007
Detail

::Breakthrough sought at global climate talks
The Daily Star : Dec 10, 2007
Detail

::Trade to shove aside climate
change agenda
New Age : Dec 09, 2007
Detail

::Global green protests
to mark Bali parley
New Age : Dec 09, 2007
Detail

::UN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFCE
Focus shifts towards
market-based solutions
New Age : Dec 08, 2007
Detail

::China wins plaudits at UN climate conference
The Daily Star: Dec 08, 2007
Detail

::UN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE
Countries to be pressured more to privatise utility services
New Age : Dec 07, 2007
Detail

::Climate change policy can create job openings: UN
New Age : Dec 07, 2007 Detail

::UN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFCE
Countries divided over negotiations
New Age : Dec 06, 2007 Detail

::Bali climate summit 'critical': UN
The Daily Star: Dec 03, 2007 Detail

::Climate change conference in Bali
The Daily Star: Dec 02, 2007 Detail

::Bush clings to anti-Kyoto stance
The Daily Star: Dec 01, 2007 Detail
 

::Sidr and Sundarbans Daily Star ,Dec 07, 2007;:

::Sidr damage worse than UN estimate
The Daily Star ,Dec 05, 2007;:

::Sidr victims
The Daily Star ,Dec 04, 2007;:

::Sidr and beyond
The Daily Star ,Dec 03, 2007;:

::Long-term rehabilitation for Sidr victims
The Daily Star ,Dec 02, 2007;:

::Donors pledge $550m
The Daily Star ,Nov 23, 2007;:

::Out in the cold
The Daily Star ,Nov 23, 2007;:

::Death toll rises to 3,199
The Daily Star ,Nov 23, 2007;:

::Govt plans 3-phase
post-cyclone rehab
New Age, Nov 23, 2007;:

::Economy Sidr-struck
The Daily Star ,Nov 22, 2007;:

::Relief pouring in
The Daily Star ,Nov 22, 2007;:

::Govt finds 1,724 still missing
The Daily Star ,Nov 22, 2007;:

::Cyclones past and present
The Daily Star ,Nov 22, 2007;:

::Huge health crisis looms large
The Daily Star ,Nov 21, 2007;:

::10 lakh tonnes Amon rice may be lost
The Daily Star ,Nov 21, 2007;:

::Cellphone, solar panel saved many lives
The Daily Star ,Nov 21, 2007;:

::Price increase teaches people austerity in the north
New Age ,Nov 21, 2007;:

::Living now more painful than death
New Age ,Nov 21, 2007;:

::8 bodies found on Sonadia coast
New Age ,Nov 21, 2007;:


::Big blow to the Sundarbans
The Daily Star ,Nov 20, 2007;:

::Silent queue for succour, patient wait for food
The Daily Star ,Nov 20, 2007;:

::Pounded Patharghata now a valley of death
The Daily Star ,Nov 20, 2007;:

::Donors pledge over $142m so far
The Daily Star ,Nov 20, 2007;:

::Cyclone-hit SMEs struggle in the south
The Daily Star ,Nov 20, 2007;:

::Canals of life
The Daily Star ,Nov 20, 2007;:


::Cyclone victims' farm loans won't be waived
The Daily Star ,Nov 20, 2007;:

::Sidr apocalypse and global warming
The Daily Star ,Nov 20, 2007;:

::Survivors cry out for food, water
New Age ,Nov 20, 2007;:

::Govt fears diarrhoea outbreak
New Age ,Nov 20, 2007;:

::The tempest hits again
New Age ,Nov 20, 2007;:

::Red Crescent fears toll may top 10,000
The Daily Star ,Nov 19, 2007;:

::Dublarchar only talks of death, devastation
The Daily Star ,Nov 19, 2007;:

::Over $25m pledged in international help
The Daily Star ,Nov 19, 2007;:

::Tale of slavery in sea
The Daily Star ,Nov 19, 2007;:

::They were the only survivors
The Daily Star ,Nov 19, 2007;:

:: Devastating cyclone
The Daily Star ,Nov 19, 2007;:

:: Rescue goes on as toll crosses 2000
The Daily Star ,Nov 18, 2007;:

:: Island of death and density
The Daily Star ,Nov 18, 2007;:

 :: 60pc of crops in cyclone-hit areas completely destroyed                                  New Age ,Nov 18, 2007::
                        

:: Govt. allocates Tk 35cr in emergency aid                            New Age ,Nov 18, 2007::

:: Emergency to be lifted at appropriate time. says Chief Adviser                                   New Age ,Nov 18, 2007::

:: Danger signal raised to 10 as hurricane nears
The Daily Star ,Nov 15, 2007;:
 

: Bangladesh delta key buffer against global warming
The Daily Star ,Nov 15, 2007;

 

::3 killed, 50 missing as cyclone Akash makes landfall
The Daily Star,                 May 16, 2007;:

Cyclone Akash spawns tidal surge in coasts
The Daily Star,                 May 15, 2007;:

::Housing plan in Cox's Bazar hill finally cancelled
The Daily Star,                 April 22, 2007;

::A mangrove forest in death throes
The Daily Star,                 Februaruary 22, 2007; 

::Global climate change may put adverse impact on fisheries sector, say experts;
Daily Star ,Jan 17, 2008:

::Climate change: A threat for Bangladesh
The Daily Star : Jan 11, 2008

::Tropical timber harvesting, biodiversity loss and environmental change
The Daily Star : Jan 11, 2008

:: Global warming, Kyoto Protocol and developing countries : The Daily Star, September 27, 2007;

:: Global Climate change and Bangladesh:          The Daily Jaijaidin, August 22, 2007;

::UN for global action on climate change: The Daily Star, June 06, 2007;
 

::Disastrous impact of global warming bitterly felt now;  The Daily Star,May 11, 2007;

::Asia to face floods, drought, disease  The Daily Star,March 31, 2007;

::'Introduce community-based training to raise awareness' The Daily Star,  March 31, 2007;

::'Form task force to protect Haor people from floods'  The Daily Star, March 31, 2007;

::Industrial Wastes 
No step yet to reduce  pollution
The Daily Star,                 November 27, 2006;

 ::Metropolitan                          Private sector can never deliver public health care
The Daily Star,         November 27, 2006;

:: Read 4 articles on Environment from The Daily Star, November 03, 2006


Please see Daily Prothom Alo Editorials »

::gvby‡li gvbwPÎ ŐLvevi Lve Ż‹z‡j Ő

:: ভোলায় ব্যতিক্রমী সম্মাননা
সমাজে ভারসাম্য আনার জন্য এ ধরনের আয়োজন জরুরি
বিশ্ব গ্রামীণ নারী দিবসে ভোলার দণিখানে একটি ব্যতিক্রমী ঘটনা ঘটেছে
 

:: 1,500 still missing in Bay -The Daily Star, September 22, 2006

:: Govt failed to alert people -The Daily Star, September 22, 2006

:: Storm in the coastal belt -The Daily Star, September 22, 2006

:: Storm death toll at 51 -Newage, 22 September 2006

:: Emergency in Satkhira -Newage, 22 September 2006

:: 25 killed as storm lashes coastal belt - The Daily Star, September 21, 2006

:: Storm kills 22 in Bay - Newage, 21 September 2006

:: হঠাত্‍ ঝড়ে ৫০০ ট্রলার সাগরে ডুবেছে, ৫ হাজার নিখোঁজ
৩৯ লাশ উদ্ধার: সতর্কবার্তা প্রচার করা হয়নি?
:: Storm death toll at 51 -Newage, 22 September 2006

:: Emergency in Satkhira -Newage, 22 September 2006

:: 25 killed as storm lashes coastal belt - The Daily Star, September 21, 2006

:: Storm kills 22 in Bay - Newage, 21 September 2006

:: হঠাত্‍ ঝড়ে ৫০০ ট্রলার সাগরে ডুবেছে, ৫ হাজার নিখোঁজ
৩৯ লাশ উদ্ধার: সতর্কবার্তা প্রচার করা হয়নি?

:: To cultivate salt, the leaders of political party BNP have grabbed the land of 200 farmers in Kutubdia.
Media News
:: Taking home fruits of toil
Media News

September 05, 2005

COAST Trust consolidated audit report- 2004 (Final)

September 04, 2005

 

Report on NETZ Assisted Project

 ‘Rehabilitation Program for River Eroded People’
 

Helping the Victims of River Erosion:

A Rebirth of Hope......

July 08, 2005

The 2nd Anniversary of MV Nasreen launch capsize.
A discussion and press briefing was held at the National Press Club, Dhaka, Bangladesh to commemorate the MV Nasreen launch capsize
Press Release

July 06, 2005
Program for River Eroded People
(RPREP), Bhola.

Final Report on Rehabilitation Program for River Eroded People(RPREP), Bhola.

June 16, 2005
COAST study findings published in The New Age by AFP
Media News

June 12, 2005
Executive Director of COAST Trust says in a talk show entitled ‘Post-Budget Discussion: Grassroots thinking on PRSP and Budget’. details in pdf format in Bangla
NTV News

June 10, 2005
Disaster vulnerabilities of the coastal areas of Bangladesh.
details in pdf format in Bangla|| html format in English
ATN Bangla News

June 08, 2005

COAST in St. Martin of Bangladesh

May 02, 2005

The Plan of Operation, 2005 of COAST Trust
News Release

April 29, 2005
Round table in memory of cyclone on 29th April, 1991

March 04, 2005

6th BoT Meeting 4^th March  2005 (4.00 p.m.)
News Release