Speeches Shim
Bangladesh is prone to frequent tropical cyclones that form in the Bay of Bengal, affecting mainly the coastal regions of the country. The latest was the powerful Cyclone Amphan that made landfall in May 2020, causing widespread damage and disruption for 2.6 million people across 19 districts. To their great credit, the people of Bangladesh have learned a great deal about handling the threat of cyclones and have taken action through cyclone preparedness, enhanced hazard early warning systems, and resilient infrastructure where people can confidently seek refuge and weather the storms.
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Derrick S. Brown visited the Sylhet region from October 4-6 to observe key USAID activities complementing the Government of Bangladesh’s COVID-19 response efforts. Mission Director Brown also launched USAID’s flagship tuberculosis (TB) activity “Alliance for Combating Tuberculosis in Bangladesh” (ACTB) in Sylhet Division as part of the U.S. government’s commitment to end TB globally.
As in countries around the world, Bangladesh’s entire health system is heavily occupied in meeting the rising demand of health services for COVID-19 patients, and continuing to provide emergency medical services. There is also a decline in demand in seeking health care services from general patients, fearing exposure to COVID-19. The question remains—what should expectant mothers do in such a scenario? Do they still go to healthcare centers for their check-ups and deliveries?
Standing their ground against the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh’s midwives and other health workers are going the extra mile to care for people and protect and save lives. One young champion is 24-year-old Shilpi Rani Bormon. She has been working as a midwife in the remote Char Chandia Union Health and Family Welfare Center in Feni District’s Sonagazi upazila since 2019. Every day, she risks becoming infected and continues to provide health services.
United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller visited Madhya Khatiamari village in Gaibandha district with Government of Bangladesh officials to observe U.S. assistance to those affected by the flooding. Ambassador Miller spoke with families receiving emergency assistance provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), including cash grants and emergency hygiene kits. He was joined by local administration officials from Gaibandha district and Fulchari upazila, and representatives from CARE Bangladesh and SKS Foundation who are administering this emergency assistance program.
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