Bangladesh struggles to deal with climate-driven internal migration

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – Bangladesh, one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, is struggling to develop climate adaptation capacity to address the rush of climate-driven internal migration, especially along the coastal belt, as the globe marks World Nature Conservation Day this Thursday.

Overall, the number of Bangladeshis displaced by the impact of climate change could reach 13.3 million by 2050, making it the country’s number-one driver of internal migration, according to the World Bank.

This week at an event in the capital Dhaka, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen warned that the international community cannot afford to remain oblivious to the issue of climate migrants.

Climate scientist Saleemul Huq has been working closely with the government to address people’s vulnerability. He advocated adapting to the changing climate by preparing a “climate-resilient town” to house climate refugees.

Huq, also director of the Dhaka-based International Centre for Climate Change and Development, told Anadolu Agency that the climate-vulnerable town of Mongla, situated about 50 kilometers (32 miles) inland from the Bay of Bengal, could serve as an example of how to absorb new climate refugees.

Many nearby coastal people migrate or move to the riverside coastal town for employment as it is the country’s second-largest seaport.

The mayor of Mongla wanted to prepare the town for climate resilience, Huq added, saying that officials of similar municipalities were holding talks with his research organization to replicate the Mongla model in other coastal towns.