The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN has initiated the distribution of agricultural supplies to farmers affected by Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh's coastal region. The distribution is part of the Emergency 2007 Cyclone Recovery and Restoration Project (ECRRP) funded by the World Bank, and has been ongoing since July 13 in 13 southern Upazilas. The FAO office in Dhaka stated that the distribution team is being accompanied by government and FAO officials. Bangladesh's FAO representative Ad Spijkers emphasized the need for farmers in the south to receive support with modern technologies to rebuild their livelihoods following the destruction caused by Cyclones Sidr and Aila. Spijkers also mentioned that assistance for crops, fisheries, and livestock will continue for the next four years. Spijkers reiterated that despite being vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, farm production can be increased by using stress-tolerant seeds and modern machinery such as power tillers and irrigation pumps. He discussed the goals of the ECRRP project, which include promoting balanced fertilizer use, improving surface water irrigation, and providing training on modern technologies through Farmers Field Schools. Spijkers also mentioned that the FAO has assisted 1.4 million farmers after Sidr and Aila by providing emergency inputs for crops, fisheries, and livestock. Additionally, he stated that 12 southern districts will benefit from recent EU funding for agriculture sectors. Spijkers emphasized the importance of investing in the southern delta to achieve sustainable food security in Bangladesh, highlighting the use of modern technologies and practices to reach this goal. He stressed the importance of creating an investment master plan that will effectively align the agriculture and water sectors in the south to promote sustainable development and restore the region to its role as the country's main source of food production. The FAO chief also pledged to collaborate with the government and development partners to establish this plan.