RANGPUR, July 16, 2020 (BSS) – The health protection materials recently distributed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) are inspiring public representatives in conducting coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention activities at the grassroots levels.
Officials and public representatives said this today at the closing session of a two-day half-yearly progress assessment meeting on Efficient and Accountable Local Governance (EALG) Project held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room in the city.
The district administration organised the event with the assistance of UNDP, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Danish International Development Agency(DANIDA).
Upazila parishad Chairmen and Vice-chairmen, Upazila Nirbahi Officers of Mithapukur and Kawnia upazilas, chairmen and secretaries of 30 unions of these two upazilas and government and NGO officials involved with the project implementation activities were present.
The project is being implemented in 18 upazilas comprising 251 unions in nine districts across the country, including Mithapukur and Kawnia upazilas in Rangpur for enhancing expertise, capacity and strengthening upazila and union parishad systems.
Deputy Commissioner Md. Asib Ahsan as chief guest attended the meeting presided over by Deputy Director (Local Government) Syed Farhad Hossain.
District Facilitator of UNDP’s EALG Project Md. Matiur Rahman discussed the project activities, presented the half-yearly progress and narrated challenges for implementation of the project activities amid COVID-19 pandemic.
He said UNDP recently distributed huge personal protective equipment (PPE) and other materials under the project among upazila, union and ward level public representatives, officials and employees to build health practice and awareness about COVID-19.
Chairmen, members and secretaries of union parishads, members of ward level corona prevention committees, standing committees and community clinic management committees received PPE,gumboots, glasses, hand gloves, hand sanitizers and KN95 masks to conduct activities for preventing COVID-19 spread at the grassroots.
Farhad Hossain said the UNDP-supported technical assistance projects are playing important roles in reforming structures and management systems of union and upazila parishads strengthening capacity and making those more effective and accountable.
The Deputy Commissioner said the UNDP has been working with the government and assisting effectively to enhance capacity of upazila and union parishads and formulate integrated and inclusive development plans for implementation at the grassroots levels.
He thanked the UNDP for distribution of health protection materials among partners of upazila and union parishads encouraging them in working for preventing COVID-19 spread abiding by the health directives and creating public awareness.