Climate Change Displaces 2-2.5 Million Bangladeshis Annually; Separate Ministry Demanded
Climate change displaces 2 to 2.5 million people annually in Bangladesh. Experts and journalists at a DRU seminar urge the government to form a separate ministry to tackle the growing crisis."
Internal displacement driven by climate change—manifested through cyclones, tidal surges, salinity intrusion, and riverbank erosion—is escalating alarmingly in coastal Bangladesh. Currently, 2 to 2.5 million people are internally displaced every year, and projections indicate that 16 to 26 million Bangladeshis could become climate migrants by the year 2050.
These concerning findings from research organizations like RMMRU and SCMR were highlighted during a discussion titled "The Role of Media in Advancing Right Policies for Climate Change-Induced Migration and Migrants," hosted by Caritas Bangladesh at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Thursday, June 18.
The discussion revealed that uprooted families are seeking refuge in major urban hubs like Dhaka, Khulna, and Chittagong, with a GIZ study indicating that 57% of these urban climate migrants hail from the coastal district of Satkhira.
At the event, Theophil Nokrek, Director of Caritas Bangladesh, outlined their ongoing initiatives aimed at risk reduction and livelihood enhancement for vulnerable, climate-displaced, and marginalized communities. Veteran journalist Sohrab Hasan emphasized that the growing, multifaceted crisis warrants the establishment of a dedicated government ministry to effectively manage climate migration. Former DRU President Raphazul Islam Azad hailed these displaced individuals as "Climate Warriors" and proposed forming a specialized journalist network to ensure consistent and prominent media coverage of the issue.
Speakers expressed grave concern over the fact that even after moving to cities, these displaced families endure unsafe housing, lack of clean water, healthcare, and education, alongside intense social marginalization. Caritas Bangladesh's Disaster Management Head Alexander Tripura, media personality Dr. Jamil Ahmed, and former director of Sangbadik kalyan trust & senior journalist Shahin Hasnat also urged the immediate formulation of sustainable policies.
//DBTech/SH/MI//
