Dhaka: Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Maya on Saturday stressed the need for marching forward with own efforts instead of depending on foreign funds to face disaster and climate change risks.

‘Our people are struggling with climate change and natural disasters. It’s so important that it needs an immediate solution. The government has already formed Climate Change Fund, and now the formation of Disaster Risks Reduction Fund is urgent,’ said Maya.

He came up with the statement at the inaugural programme of a workshop titled ‘Unpacking Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage at National Context in Bangladesh’ jointly organised by Department of Disaster Management in collaboration with Action Aid Bangladesh, Centre for Climate Change and Environment Research C3ER) of BRAC University, Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and Nature Conservation Management(NACOM) at National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute(NHTTI) Auditorium.

He said the issues of losses caused by climate change would get priority in all discussions and inter-state negotiations on climate change and disaster risks mitigation in 2016.

Bangladesh is playing a vital role in these discussions and negotiations on climate change and disaster risks and its role will continue, he said.

Secretary of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Shah Kamal was present as the chief guest at the programme chaired by director general of Department of Disaster Management Md Reaz Ahmed.

Co-coordinator of Action Aid Bangladesh Farah Kabir and Professor of BRAC University Ainun Nishat were also present.