WB Approves $102M to Improve Riverbank Protection Of Jamuna

The World Bank has authorized $102 million to aid Bangladesh in enhancing riverbank protection and navigational improvements along the Jamuna River. This initiative aims to prevent people from being displaced, safeguard their livelihoods, and stimulate economic activities.

The Jamuna River Sustainable Management Project 1, the inaugural project in a series of proposed ones, intends to enhance navigation channels to accommodate large cargo vessels throughout the year adequately.

As stated in a press release issued on Tuesday, this effort will revitalize inland water transport, bolster regional connectivity and trade, safeguard approximately 2,500 hectares of land from riverbank erosion and flooding, thereby securing the local population's livelihoods and assets while creating fresh economic prospects.

Abdoulaye Seck, the World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, emphasized the significance of managing the Jamuna River sustainably, highlighting its pivotal role for millions of people. He also pointed out that climate change and rising water levels exacerbate river erosion, displacing thousands and pushing them into poverty. Therefore, sustainable and climate-resilient management of the Jamuna River is expected to bring substantial economic advantages to the nation.

The project, a first for Bangladesh, will pilot nature-based solutions and innovative river structures and navigation at two channels of Jamuna, traversing Phulchhari, Gaibandha, and Kalihati. These improvements will benefit approximately 100,000 individuals by offering safer and more cost-effective transportation options, particularly for those transitioning from buses to passenger ferries.

Ahmed Shawky, World Bank Senior Water Resources Management Specialist and Team Leader for the Project, underscored the project's significance in the context of the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100. He mentioned that the pilot activities would enhance climate resilience, protect the environment, and ensure minimal interference with the river's natural course. The success and lessons learned from this phase will inform the subsequent projects' design and scope.

Moreover, the project will focus on reducing disaster and displacement risks for vulnerable populations residing along the Jamuna River. About 1.2 million people will be included in an insurance scheme, with digital payments activated when insurance triggers are met. Women constitute more than one-third of beneficiaries, and approximately 120,000 people will benefit from the community protection fund.

The World Bank has been a long-standing supporter of Bangladesh, having committed around $40 billion in grants, interest-free, and concessional credits since the country's independence. Currently, Bangladesh boasts the largest IDA program globally, with a total commitment of $16.06 billion for 55 ongoing projects.