Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The US government has assured Bangladesh it will provide assistance to help Bangladesh face the adverse impacts of climate change and to ensure its food security.

The assurance came when US Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Michael Owen met Food and Disaster Management Minister Abdur Razzaque at the secretariat in the capital, Dhaka on Thursday.

Michael Owen said US President Barack Obama is very much sincere to globally face the adverse impacts of climate change and ensure food security in the world.

He also said the United States government has already set aside funds for facing the challenges of climate change and attaining food security.

Mr. Owen sought assistance from Bangladesh for convincing the highly industrialized countries like India, Brazil and China to mitigate the gas emission in the upcoming Copenhagen World Climate Conference.

The food minister said Bangladesh faces increased risk of natural calamities as it is a disaster-prone country. Bangladesh has strengthened disaster preparedness programs to lessen the loss of disasters, he added.

The minister urged the US government to allocate more funds in those sectors which are getting affected by the adverse impacts of climate change.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-11September09-1:57 am (BST)