Global energy demand has risen sharply over the years with developing countries recording the greatest share in this trend. Biomass as an energy resource is mostly available locally and can easily be converted into secondary energy without huge capital investments.
Nowadays, Bangladesh shares a percentage of renewable energy only 3% of total energy ratio; Bangladesh has already taken a master plan in the renewable energy sector. One-third of the power production of Bangladesh depends on expensive imported fossil fuel energy resources and 65% of power generation depends on a natural gas reserve of the country, though one day the reserve of current gas will be diminished. Moreover, inadequate electricity production leads the country in a un-industrialization. Renewable energy procurement is a notable intervention in line with climate action, mentioned in SDGs aiming at achieving environmental sustainability by reducing the environmental risks. In this perspective, Biogas technology is one of the best means to provide natural gas to the largest number of rural people.
To prevent further environmental risks and worsening situation in agriculture, promoting the production of biogas as a sustainable and clean source of energy has become imperative in our country.The intervention of the production of Biogas can add one simple step in the fuel cycle to alleviate many of the natural hazards and provide many other benefits as well in the rural areas. From this point of view, Ghashful has initiated the green solution in association with Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) through the National Domestic Biogas Manure Program (NDBMP). Under the program, Ghashful has been producing and supplying improved cook stove (ICS) in the working areas. It is worthy to mention that ICS is very effective to protect our in-house air pollution, preserve energy and control the losses caused by deforestation.
Objectives
- To use new technologies and alternative renewable resources to maintain the gas reserve through ensuring long-term energy security
- To enable the mechanization of cattle dung processing tasks and preserve local electricity generation.
- To reduce female health risks in the kitchen.
- To reduce deforestation and to protect environment.
Adaptation Technologies:
Ghashful always emphasis on new technology adaptation to reduce natural risks and to fight against natural disaster at the same time. In the lower zone and flood affected area the organization has introduced floating vegetable cultivation system and plants that are survivable in any kind of vulnerable situations.
Risk coverage fund, Green finance and Emergency rescue
To work to reduce disaster risk in all aspect is one of the prime concerns of Ghashful. Since inception in 1972, the interventions undertaken by Ghashful had been based on the relief works. Ghashful re-activated its emergency rescue oriented activities through relief work again in 1991 targeting the cyclone victims. Since 1991 the organization has been implementing the activities under the program.
As a part of the disaster risk reduction in time of fire, cyclone, landslide and flood etc. Ghashful credit policy has the provision to compensate the victim with direct financial benefit. The organization owns a rescue team that is working always for raising awareness and confirming safety in emergency-based rescue activities. Ghashful is a member of district disaster management committee. Besides this, Ghashful has a trained rescue team with 150 members. The team received training from Civil Defense department of GoB. The policy and intervention has clear guideline about disaster.
Following event has taken place during the reporting period
- 31 no fire victim got support with home appliance and cash benefit
- 204 Brower got BDT 4279520 as risk coverage fund honored due to death of her/him or their IGA member.
Event Highlight of the Reporting year
Distribution of loans among the member beneficiaries affected by the fire
On 3rd February a massive fire broke out in Sadarghat West Madarbari Begum Rice Mill Colony. This affected 31 beneficiary members of Ghasful Madarbari Branch-1.
On 17th February relief materials were distributed among the affected member beneficiaries on behalf of the organization. Relief supplies included daily necessities and utensils. Syed Lutful Kabir Liton-Deputy Director of Microfinance and Financial Inclusion of Ghashful, Asst. Director Shamsul Hoque, Regional Manager (Chittagong City and Patiya Zone) Mohd. Sayedur Rahman Khan, Asst. Regional Manager (North City Zone,Chattogram) Rehana Begum and other employees of Ghashful attended the distribution program.
Dealing with hurricane Bulbul
November 9th, 2019 the weather department declared serve weather alert for coastal people in Chittagong due to the “Hurricane Bulbul”.
Emergency rescue team of Ghashful alerted the locals living in the risky area on the sea shore in the Patenga embankment area of Chittagong by announcing it on the loud speaker/mike. The rescue team helped the local man, women, children and elderly people to evacuate the area in Jelepara and Chorpara. In addition, a 50-member team was prepared for the aftermath of the cyclone to deal with any disaster.
International Day for Disaster Reduction
On October 13th, 2019 colorful rally, rehearsal and discussion meeting were arranged on the of International Day for Disaster Reduction program with the initiative of Chittagong DC office under the management of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. In 2019 the theme focuses on “Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services”. At 9AM on the day of the occasion a colorful rally started from Chattogram Circuit House and ended at the M. A Aziz Stadium. After the disaster drill a meeting was held at the Auditorium adjacent to the gymnasium. The Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Mohd. Ilias Hossain attended the meeting as the Chief Guest while the meeting was presided over by the Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohd. Kamal Hossain. The Chief Guest mentioned is his speech that because of climate change the occurrence of natural disaster is increasing very alarmingly. Geographical location, environment, population density, increasing risk of earthquake, global warming is making the people of our country more vulnerable. Training is the key to disaster management. District Relief and Rehabilitation officer Abul Kalam Azad, Land Registration Officer from Chittagong District Commission Bidhushi Shommodhi Chakma, Deputy Director of Chattogram Fire Services Mohd. Abdul Mannan, Asst. Deputy Director Purno Chandra Motsuddi, Senior Station Officer Mohd. Mannan , Drill Commander Mohd. Rezaul Kabir spoke at the meeting among many guests. Ghashful participated in occasion with many other Govt. and Non-government organizations.