Luxembourg minister visits climate-impacted communities

Staff Reporter  :
An eleven-member delegation from the Luxembourg Ministry for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, led by its Minister Franz Fayot, recenlty visited the climate-impacted communities in the river islands in Gaibandha and Kurigram districts.

Franz Fayot became happy with the advancement of the marginal communities’ people. During the visit, the delegation was impressed by the Char inhabitants’ success in various sectors including health, education and economy.

On the invitation of Friendship, a social development organization, the delegation from the Ministry of Luxembourg visited Goynarpatal Char of Chilmari upazila under Kurigram district and Batikamari Char in Gaibandha district.

During the visit the delegation observed the lifestyle of Char people and interacted with them. The Luxembourg delegation witnessed how the Char people survive in the face of adversity and move forward by helping each other.

Friendship is working with the marginal people for a long time. Luxembourg has been providing substantial support to Friendship’s programs in those areas over the last 15 years.

Christophe Schiltz, Director of Cooperation (Luxembourg) and Peggy Frantzen, designated ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to Bangladesh, were also in the team during the visit. Runa Khan, founder of Friendship and Marc Elvinger, chair of Friendship Luxembourg accompanied the delegation.

Franz Fayot said, “I have seen that our long-term collaborative relationship with Friendship has had a positive impact on the local population. The work and passion that Friendship puts into implementing their projects are exemplary and I am glad that we can count on such a reliable partner to support the people of Bangladesh.”

Runa Khan said, “Luxembourg government always tries to deeply understand the needs of the communities we work with. Such type of partners let conduct our work based on values and enables need-based work.”