Bolstering the resilience of poor, climate-vulnerable communities

A new Green Climate Fund (GCF) project to increase the resilience of marginalised communities in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh comes at a critical time. Project activities launched by GCF’s partner, the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), will strengthen the adaptation capacity of those most at risk, particularly female-led households, just as monsoon season threatens. 

“We were moving as quickly as possible to get the project up and running in time for the new flood season, which runs from June through October,” said Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed, leader of the project at PKSF.

This is PKSF's first collaboration with GCF. The project progressed from the signing of legal agreements to launching implementation with near-record speed, in only about a quarter of the time expected. This demonstrates significant progress by GCF in accelerating access to climate finance, allocating resources and delivering concrete results in developing countries. 

"The initiative advanced from Board approval to disbursement of funds faster than any other project in the GCF portfolio," said Brett Barstow, GCF project leader.

190,000 people are expected to benefit from the project, which focuses on using community-led and gender-sensitive technologies with the proven ability to enhance adaptation. These include homestead plinth raising and livestock rearing in slatted houses. The initiative will also install 500 flood-resilient shallow tube wells to provide safe drinking water and 2,810 sanitary latrines for hygiene—both critical for stemming the spread of COVID-19. 

Through climate action projects such as this – which can provide significant co-benefits, such as improved health, food security, gender equality, and job creation –  GCF and its partners can help mitigate the impacts of both the COVID-19 and climate crises and contribute to green recovery from the pandemic.