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HomeBangladeshThe United Nations has assured cooperation in Bangladesh's reforms and flood rehabilitation

The United Nations has assured cooperation in Bangladesh’s reforms and flood rehabilitation

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Dhaka said that the United Nations will provide assistance to Bangladesh in a wide range of areas, including reforming the police and electoral system, as the interim government begins major restructuring of the country’s institutions.

Gwen Lewis, head of the United Nations in Bangladesh, gave this assurance during a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his Tejgaon office on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed reforms, corruption, floods, the Rohingya crisis and the UN-led investigation into the killings in July-August.

Gwynne Lewis expressed her support for the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. He thanked Professor Yunus for his ‘extraordinary role’ as the head of the post-revolutionary administration.

The chief adviser said now was the ‘moment of greatest unity’ for the entire nation and his government’s main task was to ‘set a precedent’ for everyone.

“Now is a great opportunity for the country to reform the economy and bring almost every institution on the right track,” he said.

Gwen Lewis inquires about reforms in the security forces, including the police administration.

The Chief Adviser said the government has made reform of the police force one of its top priorities.

He said the government is also committed to building an integrated national information technology system, which will reduce harassment and corruption in the country.

Prof. Yunus said the government has also set up a commission for major reforms in the electoral system so that polling can be held in a free and fair manner.

Lewis said the UN-led investigation team had already started working on the killings and violence that took place in July and August.

He said various UN agencies, WHO and ILO are looking for ways to help those injured during the protests and those traumatized by the violence.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator said the United Nations has provided $4 million for post-flood rehabilitation in the eastern and southern parts of the country.

He said, since the beginning of the monsoon season, about 18 million people have been affected by floods in Bangladesh. The United Nations is coordinating aid programs for flood victims from various organizations and charities.

Prof. Yunus seeks UN support to introduce early warning system for floods in South Asia.

They also discussed the environment, climate change and the problems of Chittagong Hill Tracts. Lewis outlined the service work done by United Nations agencies in the three hill districts.

“There is a whole generation of angry young people growing up here,” Professor Yunus said, asking for the UN’s help to build a better future for the Rohingya children in the camp.