In Bangladesh, Diakonia's partner organization PARTNER has received a prestigious award for its environmental protection work from the Government of Bangladesh. The award was given to PARTNER by the Prime Minister at a ceremony in June 2012. The tree plantation project was a cooperation between Diakonia, PARTNER and local communities.

PARTNER'S executive director Md.Abdus Sobhan Meah receives the award from the Prime Minister of Bangladesh at a well visited prize ceremony in June 2012.

Severely affected by climate change

Bangladesh is one of the countries where the effects of climate change is most concrete and causes many problems, particularly for people who are living in poverty.  This is why Diakonia's partner organization PARTNER started its project for tree plantation.

"Massive tree plantation in the community level could successfully cope the hazards of Climate Change, less rainfall and desertification", explains Md.Abdus Sobhan Meah, the executive director of PARTNER.

Involved and proud beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of the program of PARTNER took great interest in tree plantation, rearing and protection.  They spent a lot of time to take care the plants in fencing, watering and manure if necessary. The beneficiaries feel themselves very proud that their contributions were appreciated by no other person than the Prime Minister of the country herself. 

Both the beneficiaries and the staff working with the tree plantation project want to share the pride of getting of prestigious national award as it is a worthwhile contribution in nation building.

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Clearly linked to gender equality In Bangladesh, Diakonia has a broad programme with a special focus on mainstreaming gender equality issues into the development projects. This has also been part of PARTNER'S tree plantation project: "We are grateful to Ms Sultana Begum at Diakonia for her support in our work of gender equality and to make us realize how it’s linked to environment protection", says Md.Abdus Sobhan Meah, the executive director of PARTNER. Diakonia in Bangladesh

Movie from the ceremony