Geneva 24th April 2008:  Executive Director of COAST Trust  Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury has been Elected as the Board Member of HAP International


Today election of HAP I (Humanitarian Accountability Partnership International) Executive Committee has held following its annual general meeting during 23 and 24th April in HAP I secretariat in Geneva .
In this election Mr Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Execuitve Director COAST Trust and Convenor EJWG has been elected as one of its four executive committee members of HAP I for the next two years period.

HAP-I is an international organization that promote accountability of its member organizations to their benificieries/poor in humanitarian actions. HAP I also provide certification and accredition to its member organizations based on some principles, work plan and its implementation audit.

Several international organizations like Oxfam GB, CARE International, Christian Aid, World Vision International, CAFOD, TearFund, Muslim Aid, Concern Worlwide, MERCY Malaysia are the full members of this organization. From Bangladesh COAST Trust has also got full membership of HAP I very recently. DFID, DANIDA and Swedish SIDA and several others are the associate members of the organization.
 

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:

10 December 2007:  PHALS  organize Human Rights Day was observance relly   on Cox's Bazar with association COAST Trust .
Click to view the Photo >>

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

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] , <