JICA calls for ensuring health security in its projects

A total of 100 officials, who work in different projects funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Bangladesh, have been infected with coronavirus. The organization expressed concern over the matter and urged the government to ensure health security in its projects’ area to speed up the implementation of the projects.

The new representative who recently joined JICA’s Dhaka office has written a letter to the Secretary of Economic Relations (ERD) in this regard.

However, it was not possible to make a successful contact for comment over the matter even after several efforts.

But an ERD official said necessary move has been taken regarding JICA letter.

In the letter, the new JICA representative thanked the government for its various initiatives during the Coronavirus outbreak and said, ‘I believe the JICA-assisted project is contributing in country’s rapid development and inclusive growth. However, the continued spread of the coronavirus is adversely affecting the implementation of the ongoing Institutional Development Assistance (ODA) loan scheme in Bangladesh. Against the backdrop of a growing transition, construction of various projects is slowly resuming.

The letter said work on some projects has resumed after disruption of two months. Although all the projects are yet not in full swing, unfortunately 100 people, including consultants and contractors working on various JICA-funded projects, have been infected with coronavirus. Considering the situation, all the executive agencies have been requested to give the highest priority to the health and safety of the project workers.

Besides, there are also some suggestions to ensure the health of the workers. Of these, the projects in which work has already started, need to take effective measures in project areas to reduce risk of coronavirus. In addition, initiatives should be taken to follow health regulations in project areas. Necessary test and medical facilities, health and protection should be ensured in the isolation center.

Dhaka/Hasnath/AKA