Md. Ashikur Rahman Ashik, Reporter || The ECOVA Foundation has been conducting awareness programmes to strengthen the disaster preparedness and resilience of people living in Bangladesh’s coastal areas, particularly in Barguna, Khulna and Barishal.The organisation has been working for an extended period to raise awareness among coastal communities about preparedness before disasters, measures to be taken during emergencies and ways to deal with losses and challenges in the aftermath.Coastal communities in Bangladesh remain exposed to cyclones, tidal surges, floods, river erosion and other climate-related hazards. Against this backdrop, ECOVA says it is focusing on community participation and awareness-building to help people better prepare for and respond to disasters.According to the foundation, its programmes also focus on the impacts of climate change on coastal livelihoods, environmental protection and sustainable agriculture.Activities funded by membersECOVA Foundation CEO Matin Sagor said the organisation's activities are currently being financed by its own members.We work because we love the planet. Our goal is to ensure that people living in coastal areas have the same right as everyone else to live safely and with dignity on this planet, he said.Matin Sagor said disaster response should not begin only after a disaster occurs. Communities need to be prepared in advance and made aware of potential risks.That is why we are giving priority to awareness-building activities, he said.More organisations like ECOVA are neededA UN official, Md Belal Hossain, praised ECOVA Foundation’s initiatives and said more organisations like it should be established to address the growing impacts of climate change.Much of the impact people around the world are experiencing because of climate change has been created by human activities. Therefore, organisations led by conscious and responsible people are very important for raising awareness, he said.Belal Hossain also appreciated ECOVA for carrying out its activities through its own funding.ECOVA Foundation is working with its own funding. I hope that very soon it will receive support from the government or foreign organisations and expand its organisational activities on a larger scale, he said.Advice on agriculture and climate changeScientist Md Nazrul Islam serves as the chief adviser to ECOVA Foundation. He provides advice on agriculture and climate change-related issues.Foundation officials said agriculture, water, environment and livelihoods are closely connected in coastal communities. Climate change is already creating changes in these areas, and the organisation is considering these challenges while planning its future programmes.Alongside disaster preparedness and awareness, ECOVA is also focusing on climate change, environmental protection and sustainable agriculture.Plans to expand field activitiesECOVA Foundation plans to expand its activities in coastal areas in the future, with a particular focus on strengthening awareness among communities about disaster preparedness, climate change impacts and environmental protection.The organisation believes that ensuring the long-term safety and livelihoods of coastal communities requires not only government and private-sector initiatives but also active participation from local people.ECOVA officials said they intend to continue working at the grassroots level and gradually expand their activities through institutional and international cooperation.