Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh and Caritas Bangladesh jointly organized an inception meeting of the project “Empowering Vulnerable for four slums by building every day and disaster risk”at MAWTS Auditorium,Pallabi, Mirpur in the city on Thursday. The objective of the Inception Meetingwas to share the project information with stakeholders and collect valuable suggestions and recommendations for better implementation. . The project will be implemented in four slums under Dhaka North City Corporation and Khulna City Corporation with the aim to empower the vulnerable people to reduce their existing risks, and vulnerabilities through capacity building, construction of resilient infrastructure, creating income generating opportunities as well as proper advocacy. The project is funded by JTI Foundation through Caritas Switzerland. The project will increase the resilience of dwellers in four slums in Dhaka and Khulna city toface disasters, climate change and socio-economic vulnerabilities.
The welcome speech was delivered by Md. John Armstrong, National Director, and Habitat for Humanity Bangladeshand Session Chaired by FrancisAtul Sarkar, ExecutiveDirector,and Caritas Bangladesh. Amrita Rejina Rozario , Country Representative, Caritas Switzerlanddelivered her speech.
Abu Syed Mohammad Hashim, Additional Secretary, Department for Disaster Management was present as the chief guest. He said “We have to improve education facilities and health facilities for the people living in slums. For the formation a sustainable Bangladesh we have to ensure land ownership of these people because they also have rights to live on their own land.”

As a Special Guest, Dr. Tariq Bin Yousuf, Superintending Engineer, Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management Cycle, Dhaka North City Corporation and project Director, Urban Resilient Project, World Bank, delivered his speech. He asked everyoneto follow slum watching guidelines for the project implementation and utilizing the existing resources for the development of slum. He also mentioned that integration with the city corporation and following the slum model is necessarythe development of slums.

Engr. Uttam Kumar Roy, Commercial Manager, Dhaka WASA delivered his speech as special guest. He said“We need to strengthen the people to face the risks in the slumsand nursing is important for sustainable development.”