M Faridur Rahaman
Dhaka, 8 December 2025:
A total of 690 climate-resilient, low-cost housing units for urban poor families were inaugurated today in Chandpur, Kushtia, Noakhali, and Gopalganj under the Livelihoods Improvement of Urban Poor Communities Project (LIUPCP). The initiative is implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) with support from the UK Government and UNDP.
The launch took place virtually from the Bangladesh Secretariat, with simultaneous events held across the four cities.
Chief Guest Md. Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, Secretary of LGD, said the new homes provide “real protection, real opportunity, and real hope” for climate-vulnerable residents, stressing that Bangladesh bears severe climate impacts despite contributing little to global emissions.
Md. Samsul Islam, Joint Secretary of LGD and National Project Director of LIUPCP, highlighted that the project has strengthened women-led community organisations and enhanced urban resilience in 19 cities. He said the housing model ensures transparency and fairness in beneficiary selection.
UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller noted that Bangladesh’s rapid urban transition demands scalable and inclusive models for resilient infrastructure. He said the new housing represents a key milestone in building safe and climate-smart urban settlements.
Martin Dawson, Deputy Development Director at the British High Commission, reaffirmed the UK’s long-standing commitment to supporting urban poor communities.
Speakers called for continued collaboration among government, development partners and communities to expand sustainable housing solutions nationwide.
