Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed is likely to propose a number of medium- and long-term relief and rehabilitation programmes for Sidr-affected areas when he meets donors tomorrow as part of a broad plan to rebuild a more durable region for future disasters. The proposals will include economic rehabilitation, infrastructure development, disaster preparedness programmes and climate adaptation programmes to strengthen the region’s defence against future natural disasters, a high-level government official told The Daily Star.

The chief adviser discussed the proposals with Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. India offered their help through “adoption” of 10 worst-affected villages in the Sidr-hit area by paying for mid-term and long-term relief and rehabilitation efforts.

The government plans to incorporate a number of these proposals in its pitch for designing a broad and organised rehabilitation effort for donors.

Foreign Adviser Iftekhar A Chowdhury told The Daily Star last night that India’s help fits into Bangladesh’s broader plans for relief and durable rehabilitation for the Sidr-affected zone.

“It is a part of a plan to ensure sustainable development in the area,” he said adding that the government sees this as an opportunity to “build back better” so the coastal areas are protected against future natural disasters and adaptable to the effects of climate change.

High-level government sources said the chief adviser’s proposals include a number of ideas for “sustainable” reconstruction of the devastated region and would look to rebuild houses with durable structures and better disaster preparedness systems through improved cyclone shelters.

One of the proposals is to build “cluster shelters” that would accommodate people from a number of villages rather than building small shelters, while another proposes concrete housing instead of corrugated iron structures.

Donors already have plans to provide livelihood support to farmers and the large fishing community in the coastal areas.

In a press conference yesterday, Mukherjee told reporters he discussed a comprehensive plan for the rebuilding process of areas worst hit by cyclone Sidr, especially for economic rehabilitation, with the chief adviser.

He said India would be looking into providing livelihood support programmes for the devastated fishing communities by providing financial support for buying new boats and nets. Mukherjee added they also discussed providing similar support for farmers.

Mukherjee and Fakhruddin also discussed working with agricultural scientists to plant a substitute crop in place of Aman, which was destroyed in the cyclone.