Uzzal Adhikari: Sirajganj district, bordered by the Jamuna River, frequently faces natural disasters such as floods and riverbank erosion. These events severely impact the livelihoods of the local people almost every year. To strengthening the community resilience and foster sustainable livelihoods in these flood-prone areas, the "Enhancing Disaster Resilience Capacity of the Monsoon Flood-Affected Population of Sirajganj District in Bangladesh" project is being implemented. Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and supported by Oxfam, this project is being carried out by Manab Mukti Sangstha(MMS) in three unions of Belkuchi Upazila—Rajapur, Belkuchi Sadar, and Baradhul to promote disaster risk reduction.

As part of the initiative, a total of 600,000 BDT in cash assistance is allocated for 400 beneficiaries in the first year-2024 to support disaster-resilient livelihood development.

On October 30, 2024, under the chaired of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Belkuchi, Afia Sultana Keya, BDT. 29,90,000 has been distributed among the 299 families through mobile banking at a ceremony held at the Upazila Parishad Conference Room in Belkuchi, Sirajganj. Representatives from the MMS and project participants from the three unions attended the event.

In her address, Ms. Afia Sultana Keya commended MMS for its longstanding commitment to disaster risk reduction initiatives in Sirajganj, efficiently delivering assistance to the right beneficiaries in collaboration with the local administration. She thanked all involved in the distribution event and encouraged recipients to utilize the grant for disaster-resilient income-generating activities. She advised beneficiaries to contact the Upazila administration for further technical support to increase future income and savings.
She expressed gratitude to KOICA, Oxfam, and MMS for their dedicated efforts to improve disaster resilience in Belkuchi Upazila.