Agriculture Environment and Climate Change

Agriculture Environment and Climate Change
The economy of Bangladesh relies heavily on agriculture, with approximately 84 percent of the population residing in rural areas and being directly or indirectly involved in agricultural activities. Agriculture contributes around 32 percent to the country’s GDP and about 63 percent of the labor force is employed in the agriculture sector. This agricultural focus plays a significant role in reducing rural poverty and improving the living standards of the population.

However, the world is experiencing gradual warming and rapid climate change. Climate fluctuations occur naturally but human activities such as production, transportation, marketing and fuel usage have been accelerating global warming rapidly. This rise in global temperatures is the primary cause of natural disasters, including increasing floods, droughts and tornadoes. These events have a detrimental impact on the global economy, posing a significant threat to the existence of all living beings. Consequently, one of the key challenges in the coming days is to continue the development process effectively by combating and coping with these risks and threats. In response to these circumstances, SUS has been implementing sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly programs. Recognizing the importance of addressing climate change, SUS focuses on sustainable agriculture practices that mitigate its impact and contribute to environmental preservation.

Sanitation plays a vital role in promoting health by preventing human exposure to waste hazards and ensuring the proper treatment and disposal of sewage wastewater. Waste sources that can pose health risks include human and animal feces, solid waste, domestic wastewater, industrial waste and agricultural waste. Hygienic practices for waste prevention can be achieved through engineering solutions (such as sewage and wastewater treatment), simple technologies (like latrines and septic tanks) and personal hygiene practices (such as handwashing with soap).

SUS has implemented WATSAN (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) project, aiming to enhance governance and provide pro-poor, safe and sustainable water supply and sanitation services. The project PWaSH (Promoting Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) aligns with SUS’s Climate Change Program and focuses on building resilience in hard-to-reach areas, particularly in the haor area to ensure sustainable health benefits through water, sanitation and hygiene promotion.

Thematic Objective
To capacitate the community to utilize resources at optimum level; access into safe water and sanitation; prepare and respond to cope disaster and adapt climate change.

Program/project
Agricultural Initiatives
SUS has been running agricultural activities through Sabalamby Agricultural Farm (SAF) and as cross-cutting issue in respective programs.

Emergency Response
SUS takes initiative during and after disasters by considering ability, opportunity and limitations such as: Relief, rehabilitation, awareness raising and training. SUS provided emergency and rehabilitation services during devastating flood of 1988, 2000, 2004 & 2007 and contributed to SIDR victims at Bagerhat area in 2007. SUS extended cold wave support at Atpara, Modon, Kendua upazila of Netrakona district in 1998 and tornado of 2004, 2007, 2014 and flash flood support at Khaliazuri upazila of Netrakona district in 2010.  During the period, SUS has distributed blankets, food package among SUS operated school students and Tornado/Cold Wave affected people of Netrakona and Mymensingh districts. In 2020, Blanket/Food package/Masks/Hand Sanitizer/Soaps and awareness raising leaflets about COVID-19 have been distributed among COVID-19/Cold Wave affected people of Netrakona, Mymensingh and Jamalpur districts. In 2021, Masks/Hand Sanitizers and awareness raising leaflets about COVID-19 have been distributed and Cash Support has been provided among COVID-19 affected people of Netrakona, Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Sherpur districts. 

In 2022, 1000 (Mohongonj, Netrakona sadar and Kendua)blankets have been distributed among poor people by Cap Anamur (German Emergency Doctors) and 15 blankets have been distributed among disable clients of Netrakona sadar by Integrated Disability Service Center ((Protibondhi Seba o Sahajya Kendra), Netrakona.

Emergency Supports to Flood Victims 2022
-Distribution of food package (Taka 200000) among 302 group members (Each member has gotten 5 kg rice, 1 kg lentil-Dal, 1 kg salt, 1 litre soyabean oil and 5 piece ORS)of Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamgonj district by Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF).
-Distribution of Cash Support (Taka 139500) among 186 group members (Each Taka 750) of Kalmakanda upazila of Netrakona district by Netrakona Samity, Toronto, Canada.
-Distribution of cash support (Taka 90000) among 90 flood victims (Each Taka 1000) by Lions Club, Mymensingh.
-Distribution of cash support (Taka 90000) to 20 flood victims including disables (Each Taka 4500) at Kendua upazila of Netrakona district.

During 24-27 September 2022, we have distributed Food Package among 3200 flood victim families (Each family: 40 kg rice and 4 kg mushur dal) of Kalmakanda, Mohanganj and Khaliajuri upazila of Netrakona district by the financial assistance of World Food Program (WFP).