The government will host Dr M. Nazrul Islam, Acting High Commissioner of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the UK, during an official visit this week.
Dr Islam will visit RNLI Peel Lifeboat Station to learn about the island’s water‑safety work and its partnership with RNLI teams supporting drowning‑prevention programmes in Bangladesh.
Drowning remains a leading cause of death among young children in Bangladesh, particularly in rural areas where ponds and waterways are close to homes.
He will meet RNLI representatives Neil Smith, International Programmes Funding Manager, and Darren Williams, Bangladesh Programme Manager, who have worked with the Isle of Man government on the Creches for Bangladesh project.
Between 2022 and 2024, the Island contributed nearly £100,000 to establish 60 community crèches in Barisal, providing supervised care for more than 1,200 children and reducing drowning risk by 82%.
The Bangladesh Government has since expanded the model nationally, creating 8,000 childcare centres and delivering survival‑swimming lessons to 360,000 older children.
Dr Islam will also meet Chief Minister Alfred Cannan and tour Tynwald Chambers, hosted by President of Tynwald Juan Watterson.
