Climate refugees from the coastal area of Bangladesh

It has been a great pleasure to have the Climate Frontlines as a forum for sharing the observartions we come across at the grassroots level. So far the climate change discussions and debates have been a scientific or technical matter limited at the national Govt. and international level. Being non-technical persons, we were in fact looking for some opportunity to share our observations.

Climate refugees from the coastal area of Bangladesh

Coastal inundation by tidal water has emerged as a serious threat to both life and property in small islands in the south-west coastal belt of Bangladesh. Development investments have been lost; numerous roads and other infrastructure destroyed, 100% sanitation coverage washed away by saline water and there exists no sanitation facility, scarce water sources have been salinized or otherwise contaminated, houses damaged, income earning opportunities have drastically reduced, and so on. People are fleeing flooded coastal areas and adding to the number of climate refugees from the Bangladesh Coast.

Climate refugees are fleeing flooded coastal areas – but how far? It depends on their financial and social capital; the fortunate ones struggle for refuge in slums in cities while others resort to nearby locations which are environmentally safer but legally fragile. Association for Climate Refugees (ACR), a network of community-based organizations have started working on registering the climate refugees and keep track of their resettlement issues. The geographical area covered by ACR include climate refugee hubs in 3 sub-districts (Koyra, Dacope and Batiaghata) and Khulna City Corporation.

We will keep you updated on further developments.
Mohammad Abu Musa
Executive Director
Coastal Resource Center