IFRC will further consolidate its presence in Bangladesh: IFRC Sec-Gen

"We want to strengthen our presence further in Bangladesh by expanding the operational programmes," he said.

The IFRC Secretary General made the remarks when a 10-member delegation of the organisation paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official Ganobhaban residence here on Sunday evening.

After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

Elhadji Amadou mentioned the IFRC's unwavering commitment to humanity and vulnerable people and said it is going to embark on an "ambitious campaign" to reach one billion people of the globe to create awareness and grow resilience aimed at strengthening its capacity to face disasters.

The IFRC Secretary General highly appreciated the activities of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) as well as the charismatic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He also recalled the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and praised the hospitality in Bangladesh.

At the meeting, the Premier termed the Red Crescent volunteers of the country as very "resilient and effective" and said the government has been imparting training to them to tackle natural disasters more efficiently.

Pointing out the 1998 deluge that had affected the country for the longest time, Sheikh Hasina her government handled the situation at that time very efficiently and successfully.

In this connection, she said there were speculations that some 20 million people would die in that flood which was ultimately proven wrong.

The Prime Minister recalled with gratitude the humanitarian assistance and expertise that Bangladesh received from the IFRC since the War of Liberation in 1971.

Sheikh Hasina mentioned that she has been observing the activities of the BDRCS since her childhood.

Expressing satisfaction over the work being done by the BDRCS, she said it has been working with the active support from the IFRC.

The Premier also noted the visit of Bangabandhu to the southern coastal region in 1973 and said the initiatives of her government to create awareness about natural disasters came from his (Bangabandhu's) experience.

The IFRC team included Chief of Staff and Director of the Office of the IFRC Secretary General Jagannath Chapagain, Regional Coordinator of the IFRC Asia Pacific Region Kremer Piere Henri, Head of IFRC Country Office in Bangladesh Azmatullah, Chairman of BDRCS Hafiz Ahmed Mazumdar, Vice-Chairman Dr Md Habibe Millat, MP, and Treasurer Advocate Touhidur Rahman.

PM's International Affairs Advisor Dr Gowher Rizvi and PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum were present.