The reality of forced migration in Bangladesh
A country on the frontlines of the battle against climate change
Human-induced climate change is causing weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe. Some countries are more vulnerable than others—particularly when it comes to environmental displacement.
Bangladesh currently ranks as the seventh country most affected by extreme weather events—with 80% of the country consisting of floodplains prone to natural disasters like cyclones and floods. With two-thirds of Bangladesh less than 5 meters above sea level, it is estimated that by 2050, 17% of the country’s coastlines will be submerged—causing one in every seven people in Bangladesh to be displaced.
Bangladesh’s vulnerability to climate change
Climate—or disaster induced displacement—has caused the movement of people from rural areas coastal areas into urban slums in big cities, like Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital city. It is estimated that half a million people move to Dhaka each year, and informal surveys indicate that about 70 percent of slum dwellers moved to Dhaka because of environmental problems in the countryside. With the large influx of people, the city is overcrowded, and its already strained resources are strained further.
While migration has served as a way for people to mitigate the effects of climate change, it has exposed them to new hazards and risks in crowded cities like Dhaka. Climate migrants are subject to an increased risk of trafficking and exploitation, and are often injured or killed in work related accidents. A recent fire in a food processing factory in Dhaka just last month, killed four migrants whose livelihoods had been destroyed by river erosion and floods.
With the large influx of people, [Dhaka] is overcrowded, and its already strained resources are strained further.
Life in urban slums puts climate migrants at risk of becoming victims of a perpetual poverty cycle due to the lack of access to health, education, and basic living conditions—as well as increased vulnerability to food shortages. This risk is further compounded by other social determinants such as gender and social capital.
Further down south-west of Dhaka, the Rohingya refugees are experiencing adverse climate effects as well. As of mid-2021, there are over 800,000 Rohingya refugees from 34 camps in the Cox’s Bazaar district—an area that is particularly vulnerable to adverse weather changes and heavy precipitation. Yearly flooding of Rohingya homes and an increased risk of landslides has left many displaced from their makeshift homes on the forest hills.
Researchers assert that Cox’s bazaar could be the worst hit region in South Asia as average temperatures and rainfalls worsen—turning Rohingya refugees escaping violence in Myanmar, into climate refugees in Bangladesh.
Climate change is a justice issue. [It] affects the most impoverished and marginalized in society who have played very little role in creating the problem in the first place.
How can Bangladesh plan for the future?
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Shiekh Hasina called on G20 countries—who are responsible for 80% of the carbon emissions in the world—to make greater contributions to Bangladesh to help mitigate the dangers of rising global temperatures. She appealed to the international community for increased aid and access to technology to accelerate adaptation for countries like Bangladesh who are at most risk.
The Prime Minister’s call reiterates the need to look at climate migration as a justice issue. The impact of climate change affects the most impoverished and marginalized in society who have played very little role in creating the problem in the first place. Climate justice is crucial for country like Bangladesh but remains a highly debated issue—particularly amongst higher income countries.
There’s no denying the evidence indicating that immediate action is needed both on the international and local level. At the local level, strategic plans to help current and future climate migrants and refugees to find safe and permanent homes is crucial. On the international level more responsibility and support from countries, that have contributed and are contributing to the climate crisis is needed. Only with this coordinated effort, would countries like Bangladesh be able to address the need of climate refugees and create a more sustainable future.
