UNICEF: 35 Million Bangladeshi Children at Serious Risk from Climate Change Effects

Climate Change Displaces Millions in Bangladesh

Recent climate-related impacts have displaced about 1.7 million people in Bangladesh, according to experts discussing the alarming situation at the Fourth Annual Climate Child Conference in Khulna. This conference gathered around 200 children from coastal regions, areas particularly vulnerable to climate change.

Kawsar Hossain from Unicef highlighted that approximately 35 million children in Bangladesh are affected by climate change, facing risks that threaten their futures. He stressed the importance of prioritizing children’s needs in national policies to protect their well-being.

In his keynote speech, Professor Zakir Hossain from Khulna University shared that about 10,000 people are displaced each year due to climate events. Families are often forced to flee coastal areas for urban centers, seeking better living conditions. Rising salinity is making agriculture nearly impossible, pushing families into debt and leaving them no choice but to migrate.

Once in urban slums, these families encounter high living costs and limited access to clean water and sanitation, creating harsh conditions, especially for children. “While adults suffer, it’s children who carry the heaviest burden,” Professor Hossain noted.

The conference culminated with children presenting 21 demands, urging policymakers to act quickly on climate issues. Khulna University Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Rezaul Karim emphasized the severe impact of natural disasters, stating that women and children suffer the most. He called for improved public awareness and planning to protect vulnerable populations in the face of future disasters.

Faruk Wasif, director general of the Press Institute of Bangladesh, echoed the need for an intergenerational approach to environmental justice, urging adults to consider the legacies they leave for future generations. He pointed out that while children represent a significant portion of the population, they are often left out of climate discussions, despite being some of the most affected.

Since 2021, Jagrata Juba Shangha, the organizing body of the conference, has been working to raise awareness of climate change impacts on children in coastal areas, successfully forming a coastal children’s forum that now includes around 5,000 committed members. The insights from these events are crucial for informing climate policy and building resilience among vulnerable populations.

These discussions reflect a larger trend concerning the urgent need for climate action. A recent report from the United Nations revealed that climate migration is expected to increase in the coming years, highlighting the critical need for immediate interventions to safeguard the most affected communities.

As the impact of climate change becomes increasingly dire, it’s essential that we listen to the voices of the younger generations. They hold the key to a sustainable future, reminding us of our responsibilities to protect the planet for those who will inherit it.