01 Sept 2009: Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh organized a human chain in front of the National Press Club, Dhaka while they criticized and condemned role of DFID and British Government as they are supporting WB authority on the management of country’s multi donor trust fund for climate chage adaptation.

EquityBD organized this human chain and demonstration while two ministers of the UK government, Mr Doglus Alexander, State Minister for International Development and Mr Ed Milband, State Minister for Energy and Climate Change were visiting the country.

DFID, since the beginning of MDTF establishment in 2008, allegedly has been creating pressure to the government to appoint the WB as fund manager. EquityBd constantly and continuously has been protesting such role of DFID. Earlier, as part of the protest campaign, EquityBd sent memorandum and post cards to Doglus Alexander, British State Minister for International Development and also to the British Prime Minister to reconsider their position and to assist Bangladesh government in establishing country’s sovereign and democratic ownership on MDTF. But DFID seems to ignore people’s demand as they haven’t changed their position yet. Besides, being directed by the DFID’s guideline and misguided by country’s ‘donor darling’ consultants and bureaucrats government is going to hand-over MDTF management responsibilities to the World Bank

Speaker at the human chain said, DFID should not question about country's capacity in managing MDTF of around USD 20 million in a year as the country is managing more than 7500 million USD in 2009-2010 FY. Besides, Bangladesh has proven track record in managing multi-donor trust fund through creation of foundation. The speaker urged the visiting British ministers to Bangladesh to reconsider their position and support the country in establishing its sovereign and democratic ownership on the management of MDTF. Among others, Shamima Akter of Aso, Sanat Kumar Bhowmik of COAST Trust and Mustafa Kamal Aknada and Md Shamsuddoha of EquityBD were present in the human chain.

Please download the press release [Bangla] [English] , photos, position paper [ Bangla ]