UN supports reforms and flood recovery in Bangladesh

The United Nations has pledged to support ongoing reforms and flood recovery efforts in Bangladesh.

The UN will support Bangladesh in many areas, including police and electoral reform, as the transitional government undertakes a comprehensive restructuring of the country’s institutions, UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis said on Sunday.

Lewis, the UN chief in Bangladesh, paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at his office in Tejgaon, where they discussed reforms, corruption, floods, the Rohingya crisis and the UN-led investigation into the July-August bloodbath, a statement from the chief adviser’s office said.

Lewis praised the transitional government’s reform program and thanked Yunus for his exceptional role as head of the post-revolution government, the statement said.

Yunus said the nation is now “more united than ever” and the government’s main goal is to be “an example for everyone.”

“This is a great opportunity to reform the country’s economy and improve almost all institutions,” he added.

Lewis asked about the reforms of the security forces, including police administration. The chief adviser said the government had given police reform a top priority.

He added that the transitional government is also working on establishing a comprehensive national IT system to help reduce corruption and administrative burdens.

In addition, a commission was set up to monitor important reforms to the electoral system in order to ensure free and fair elections.

Lewis said the United Nations-led investigation team had already begun investigating the killings and violence that took place in July and August.

She said UN agencies, WHO and ILO were looking for ways to help injured victims and people traumatized by the events.

Various UN organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), are currently examining ways to help the injured victims and those traumatized by the events.

Lewis mentioned that the UN has allocated $4 million for flood relief efforts in eastern and southern Bangladesh.

The UN coordinator said that nearly 18 million people in Bangladesh have been affected by floods since the start of the monsoon season and that the UN has coordinated assistance from agencies and charities to support flood victims.

Yunus asked the UN for support in setting up a flood forecasting system in South Asia.

They also discussed environmental issues, climate change and the problems of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, with Lewis outlining the UN’s ongoing support initiatives in the three hill districts.

The chief adviser urged the UN to help create a “better future” for children in Rohingya refugee camps.