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SMILE Project Strengthens Sylhet's Disaster Preparedness with Rescue Equipments

Bangladesh
Labour market insertion, Upskilling and Reskilling, Entrepreneurial ecosystems
15.10.2024
SMILE Project equips disaster management teams in Sylhet with life-saving gear to enhance preparedness and response in flood-prone areas, ensuring the safety and resilience of frontline responders.

Sylhet and its nearby regions are prone to natural disasters, particularly floods, which cause significant damage to infrastructure and livelihoods.

In a significant move to bolster disaster preparedness in Sylhet, the SMILE project, funded by Chevron Bangladesh and implemented by Swisscontact, has provided vital rescue equipment to the Deputy Commissioner Office of Sylhet. This initiative is designed to develop the disaster response capabilities of rescue officers and volunteers across multiple upazilas in this climate disaster-prone region. The equipment includes life jackets, hand mikes, gumboots, and raincoats, all essential for improving the effectiveness and safety of those responding to emergencies like floods.

The event was graced by Md.  Anwar Uj Jaman, Additional District Magistrate, Sylhet (representing the Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet); Ryan M Ott, Director, Operations; Muhammad Imrul Kabir, Director, Corporate Affairs; Khondoker Tusherujjaman, Manager, Community Engagement and Social Investment; Ali Ashraf Choudhury, Social Investment Advisor, Corporate Affairs; Shaikh Jahidur Rahman, Manager, Communications, all representing Chevron Bangladesh, Md. Makbul Hossain, Team Leader, SMILE project, Swisscontact; Sylhet Press Club President, journalists, and local community leaders.

The provision of these critical rescue equipment will serve as the foundation for future disaster management initiatives under the SMILE project. By addressing the rescue equipment shortages that have previously hindered effective disaster response, this support promotes a sustainable approach to emergency relief in Sylhet's climate disaster-prone areas.

Future initiatives under the SMILE project will continue to prioritize community safety, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, ensuring a well-equipped and proactive response to natural disasters.

"This initiative represents Chevron’s commitment to encouraging resilience within communities that face the harsh realities of climate-related disasters. By equipping first responders with the necessary tools, we aim to safeguard the lives and livelihoods in Sylhet."
Ryan M Ott, Director of Operations at Chevron Bangladesh 
"Our support through the SMILE project goes beyond immediate response. Our goal is to capacitate the Sylhet's disaster management initiatives by equipping these brave volunteers and officers and ensure that they are well-prepared to respond effectively and minimize the impact of disasters."
Muhammad Imrul Kabir, Director of Corporate Affairs at Chevron Bangladesh
"This support from Chevron and Swisscontact through the SMILE project strengthens our disaster response capabilities by strengthening the support for the rescue teams and eliminating the shortage of the available rescue items, ensuring that we can respond more efficiently when disasters strike."
Md.  Anwar Uj Jaman, Additional District Magistrate of Sylhet
2023 - 2028
Bangladesh
Labour market insertion, Upskilling and Reskilling, Entrepreneurial ecosystems
SMILE – Sustainable and Meaningful Intervention for Livelihood Enrichment
The SMILE project seeks to uplift deserving students in Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Sunamganj and Dhaka by providing scholarships, educational campaigns, and teacher training, while also enhancing capacity development and employment opportunities for local youth, promoting cooperative governance and micro- savings, addressing health issues, and championing environmental conservation, all while exploring innovative solutions to meet community needs.
Learn more