Imagine a country where one in every seven people will be displaced due to climate change by the year 2051. Bangladesh ranks 7th among the world’s most vulnerable countries, and the government estimates that 13.3 million people will be running from their places. Like you and me, these people have dreams and aspirations for a good life too.
Natural disasters like cyclones and floods visit the country annually, and millions bear the unbearable consequences. The population living along the country’s 441-mile (710km) low-lying coastal region has been particularly impacted due to the geographical vulnerability. An estimated 2,000 people moving to the country’s capital Dhaka every single day.
Fig. 1: Projected additional within-district migrants in the coastal region of Bangladesh because of an increase in salinity from the first to fifth quintile. Source here
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), climate migration refers to “the movement of a person or groups of persons who, predominantly for reasons of sudden or progressive change in the environment due to climate change, are obliged to leave their habitual place of residence, or choose to do so, either temporarily or permanently, within a State or across an international border”
Climate migrants are people who are not willing to leave their ancestral place but have no choice but to leave their homes due to the adverse effects of climate change. The effects include rising sea levels, extreme weather events, droughts, and other environmental changes that make living conditions untenable. Bangladesh is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its low-lying geography and high population density.
The key trends and stories of climate migration in Bangladesh are described below:
Coastal Erosion and Flooding:
Amina, a mother of three from the Sundarbans, watched helplessly as her home was swallowed by the rising tides. Cyclone after cyclone battered her village, leaving it uninhabitable. With no other option, Amina and her family moved to Mongla, where they found refuge in a community designed to withstand such disasters. Mongla has developed climate-resilient infrastructure and special economic zones to support migrants like Amina. Many people from coastal areas, such as the Sundarbans, have been displaced due to rising sea levels and increased frequency of cyclones. These areas are prone to flooding and erosion, which destroy homes and agricultural land1.
The town of Mongla has become a refuge for many climate migrants. Once vulnerable to floods and river erosion, Mongla has now developed climate-resilient infrastructure and special economic zones to support these migrants.
Fig 2. Workers gather in the morning at a boat terminal, waiting to cross the Mongla River, in Mongla. The World Bank in a new report said last year that Bangladesh will have more than 19 million internal climate refugees by 2050, almost half the projected number for the entire South Asian region. [Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP Photo]
Urban Migration:
Rafiq, a farmer from a rural village, saw his fields turn barren due to increased salinity from rising sea levels. Unable to sustain his livelihood, he moved to Dhaka in search of work. The bustling city, already crowded, is now home to many like Rafiq, who live in informal settlements and work in low-paying jobs to survive. Cities like Dhaka and Khulna are experiencing rapid urbanization partly due to climate-induced migration. People from rural areas affected by natural disasters move to these cities in search of better opportunities. In Khulna, many low-income climate migrants live just outside the city and commute daily for work.
Loss of Livelihoods:
Shirin, a young woman from Khulna, used to help her family with farming. As the soil became too salty for crops, her family’s income dwindled. Shirin moved to the outskirts of Khulna city, where she now works in a garment factory. Her story is a common one, as many agricultural communities are forced to seek alternative livelihoods. Agricultural communities are particularly affected. Increased salinity in soil and water due to sea-level rise makes farming difficult, forcing farmers to migrate to urban areas or other regions.
Fig 3. Punur Daan, a fisherman, catches baby shrimp from the Pasur River in Mongla. Climate scientists say low-lying Bangladesh is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change and millions are at risk of being displaced — becoming climate refugees because of sea-level rise, river erosion, cyclonic storms, and intrusion of saline water. [Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP Photo]
Pathways to address Climate Migration in Bangladesh:
Humans have the natural capability to cope with any challenging situations. The local communities and organizations are already stepping up to figure out solutions for climate migration. These efforts include providing displaced families with education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. The nature of the migration process is complex and involves various economic, social, and political factors. Especially ensuring human security and sustainable development for these migrants is a significant challenge.
In the context of Bangladesh, a country facing several other challenges, addressing climate migration requires a multifaceted approach. The approach should include policy measures, community engagement, and sustainable development initiatives. Here are some strategies that could be effective:
1. Strengthening Resilience and Adaptation
- Infrastructure Development: When natural calamities like cyclones strike, communities require infrastructure to withhold the impact. So building climate-resilient infrastructure, such as elevated homes, flood barriers, and improved drainage systems, can help communities withstand extreme weather events.
- Agricultural Adaptation: When salinity intrusion damages the capacity of the soil, an alternative solution is required for crop production. So when the intrusion is inevitable in an area, promoting salt-tolerant crops and sustainable farming practices can help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions.
2. Policy and Governance
- National Policies: Policy plays a prime role in tackling a major challenge like climate migration. Not only on paper, the implementation of comprehensive national policies that address climate migration, including land use planning, disaster risk reduction, and social protection programs is crucial for a long-term solution.
- International Cooperation: Climate migration is becoming an international challenge too. So engaging in international dialogues and agreements to exchange knowledge and support for migration management is important to the global context.
3. Community-Based Approaches
- Local Empowerment: The communities are suffering as their lives go through a significant phase of change during migration. So initiatives should be taken to empower them through education and capacity-building programs to enhance their resilience to climate impacts.
- Participatory Planning: No planning is effective without the active participation of the beneficiary. So involving communities in planning and decision-making processes should be a priority in any intervention design. It will ensure that solutions are tailored to their specific needs and contexts.
4. Economic Opportunities
- Livelihood Diversification: After the climate migration, finding new livelihoods becomes a major challenge for the displaced people. Training and resources for alternative livelihoods, such as aquaculture, handicrafts, and eco-tourism should be provided to reduce dependency on climate-sensitive sectors.
- Urban Planning: Along with livelihood diversification, facilities should be developed in the urban areas with adequate housing, infrastructure, and services to accommodate incoming migrants.
5. Education and Awareness
- Climate Education: Tackling climate change requires a holistic understanding of people and the planet. Education is the first step to raise awareness and promote proactive adaptation measures. So climate change education should be integrated into school curricula and community programs.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Awareness is the first step before action. So campaigns can be effective with specific awareness goals. It will also help to minimize the risks of climate change and the importance of resilience-building.
6. Research and Innovation
- Data Collection and Analysis: Climate migration is a complex problem that involves multiple factors. In order to understand migration patterns, vulnerabilities, and the effectiveness of adaptation measures, continuous research is a must.
- Innovative Solutions: From the research and experience of any successful intervention around the world, innovative technologies and practices should be experimented with in Bangladesh. Technology can be a big leverage to enhance resilience and support sustainable development.
The sufferings of climate migrants in Bangladesh underscore the urgent need for adaptive measures and policies to support these vulnerable populations. As we continue to confront the realities of climate change, we should remember that behind every statistic, there are real people with dreams and aspirations. We need solidarity in this global climate change to ensure that these dreams are not lost but are given the chance to thrive in a changing world!
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The article is written by Md Fahim Hossain. He is the founder of Green Lead; a nonprofit organization dedicated to climate action based in Bangladesh. Can be reached at fahim@greenleadglobal.org