Every day in Dhaka, the bustling streets are filled with street vendors, rickshaw pullers, and construction workers. To most, they are just part of the city’s landscape. However, each worker carries a story of loss and resilience. Many have left their homes due to climate change, seeking survival in a sprawling urban center.
Bangladesh is one of the countries most affected by climate change. According to the Global Climate Risk Index, it consistently ranks high due to frequent extreme weather events. Floods, cyclones, and river erosion are not distant threats; they are daily struggles for countless families.
Many people migrating to Dhaka have faced devastating impacts. The coastal regions, such as Satkhira and Bhola, suffer from cyclones and rising salinity, destroying homes and farmland. For instance, Cyclone Aila displaced millions in 2009, and farmers who once cultivated rice now resort to shrimp farming or leave agriculture altogether.
Statistically, the World Bank’s “Groundswell Report” suggests that Bangladesh could see over 13 million internal climate migrants by 2050 without significant climate action. Most of these individuals will gravitate toward urban centers, especially Dhaka.
But why does this migration happen? Initially, many move to nearby towns. However, due to a lack of jobs, they migrate to Dhaka, drawn to its economic potential. Yet, they often lack the education or resources needed for formal employment. Consequently, they enter the informal economy, becoming street vendors, laborers, and domestic workers. Over 85% of Bangladesh’s labor force engages in this unofficial sector, which is intrinsically linked to their displacement.
Despite the city’s reliance on these workers, urban policies often ignore their plight. Climate migrants are too frequently labeled as “illegal encroachers” rather than seen as victims of a situation they didn’t create. This results in evictions and a lack of support systems for those trying to survive.
In Bangladesh, the burden of climate change is disproportionately borne by the most disadvantaged, including low-income families, women, and marginalized communities. As a result, migrants often end up in informal settlements, facing poor living conditions and limited access to healthcare and education. Women, in particular, face heightened risks of exploitation and violence.
This situation extends beyond just an environmental crisis—it’s also a matter of social inequality. The people we see on the streets of Dhaka are vital to its economy. They provide food, transport, and construction services, yet remain excluded from social protections and labor rights.
Experts suggest that urban climate migration should be integrated into national strategies. Recognizing climate migrants in urban planning can address their needs and help them secure the rights and services they deserve. This includes better housing, healthcare, and job training to help them integrate into urban life.
In conclusion, those navigating Dhaka’s busy streets aren’t just searching for jobs; they are survivors, adapting to a new reality shaped by climate change. Awareness and action are needed to ensure a more equitable future for these individuals. Their story is not an isolated issue but a fundamental part of the ongoing climate crisis that demands attention.
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Climate migrants in Dhaka: The human face of Bangladesh’s climate crisis
