Islamic Development Bank representative Dr Mohammad Hassan Salem has formally handed over 34 schools which also double as cyclone shelters as part of the third phase of the Fael Khair Program in Bangladesh. The programme is funded by a grant from the late King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of KSA.
A total of 95 out of 174 planned school-cum-cyclone shelters have been handed over so far. Each building will serve as a modern educational institution for 240 students and can also provide shelter to 2,000 people and 500 cattle during the country’s frequent cyclones.
The late King Abdullah’s grant of US$130 million for relief and assistance to the victims of cyclone Sidr, which hit in 2007, has been utilised as follows:
• US$110 million to construct 174 School-cum-Cyclone Shelters in the coastal belt of Bangladesh
• US$20 million waqf (Editor's note: a endowment made by a Muslim for a cause) as partial support to maintain the buildings and to provide urgent relief and rehabilitation through agricultural and other inputs to the affected population
The buildings are designed to withstand top wind speeds of up to 260 km/h. The green facilities are equipped with solar power and durable school furniture. They also have potable water systems, including rain water harvesting, to supply safe drinking water.