To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department is providing to Bangladesh to help combat the effect of climate change; and if he will make a statement. (305288)

The Department for International Development (DFID) works closely with the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) on climate change issues. DFID:

Assisted the GoB in developing a national Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and provided £60 million to help implement them.

Provided more than £6 million since 2004 to support disaster preparedness in the regions of Bangladesh most vulnerable to severe climate shocks. We are providing a further £12 million to support this work over the next five year, covering a wider area. This programme is implemented by UNDP and co-financed by the European Union. It is also part of Bangladesh's Climate Change Strategy.

Is providing £690,000 to research institutions and universities in Bangladesh to increase national capacity to assess the impacts of climate change and improve Bangladesh's climate adaptation strategy and activities.

Is building the country's resilience to climate change through improved governance, health, education and job opportunities.