Around 30 per cent of people lessened the intake of their meals due to the climate change impact while the same percentage of people were also unable to afford food items beyond rice and lentils, according to a new study.
The research also demonstrates the lack of climate-resilient economic livelihood options which forces the people of Shyamnagar in Satkhira to be displaced.
It also suggested some alternative solutions such as introducing saline-tolerant varieties of agriculture, developing small businesses, and capacity building of the climate-vulnerable community to face future climatic shocks and reduce the rate of climate-induced displacement.
The findings were presented at a workshop titled ‘Impact of Climate Change on livelihoods & its alternative solutions for the people living in southwest coastal & slum areas in Bangladesh’ at a city hotel on Monday.
Educo Bangladesh, a Spain-based international development and humanitarian NGO, and Uttaran, jointly with the support of European Union and UNOPS arranged the event.
Md Mijanur Rahman , director general (DG), Department of Disaster Management, was present at the function as the chief guest.
Team Leader of the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, Koen Everaert, also spoke on the occasion.
The research findings were presented by Dr Abdullah Harun Chowdhury, professor, Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna University.
The event started with the opening remarks from the Country Director- Abdul Hamid, Educo Bangladesh.
Educo and Uttaran have been implementing a project "Strengthening the capacity of those displaced by disasters and climate-related causes to cope with adverse situations”, in two separate locations of Shyamnagar and Satkhira Municipality.
As a part of this project, research was conducted. The three months’ research was done from September 2022 to November 2022 in Gabura, Paddapukur and Burigoalini unions of Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira and five slum areas of Satkhira municipality.
Speaking at the event, Abdul Hamid said being one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, the people who counter and adapt to climate change every day are the real frontline heroes.
Our country should salute them, he added.
Kazi Abdul Kadir, manager- Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change at Educo Bangladesh, presented an overview of the project as well as recognised the efforts of the technical partners’ -Footsteps and Khulna University.
The project aims to enhance the disaster and climate change adaptation capacity of the population in Shyamnagar of Satkhira, thereby decreasing damage levels and reducing migration to urban areas.
Following the presentation, an open discussion took place with active participation from all the event attendees.
Koen Everaert said “I hope that the stakeholders including the Government of Bangladesh and development partners will consider the recommendations by the research for their further actions”.
“I hope it will make significant improvements in the lives of people living in dire situations. I can reaffirm that the European Union is committed to working on climate change for both mitigation and adaptation”, he added.
Mijanur Rahman said to build a smart Bangladesh, smart alternative livelihood options need to be introduced.
The alternative livelihood solutions which surfaced from this research need to be spread amongst the people in need and we have to ensure that they are able to use these solutions, according to Rahman.
Jahin Shams Sakkhar, program development specialist of Uttaran, thanked the participants for attending and providing their valuable opinion.
Lastly, the event ended with a closing remark from Farzana Khan, Director of Programs, Educo Bangladesh.
