Bangladesh’s climate migrants are arriving in cities unprepared to protect them

In 2024, disasters displaced 2.4 million people within Bangladesh, while the International Monetary Fund warns that rising seas could eliminate more than one-seventh of the country's land area and nearly one-third of its food production by 2050. As environmental pressures force people from their homes, researchers are investigating the risks faced by climate migrants in secondary cities and whether these cities are prepared to accommodate the influx.

Migration is often seen as an adaptive strategy to cope with climate-related stresses. However, in Bangladesh, informal urban settlements frequently serve as the first destination for displaced individuals. These settlements, though, pose inherent risks due to their structural composition and the residents' exposure to various hazards. This raises a crucial question: Are the cities accepting climate migrants equipped to provide a safer and more stable future or are they leaving them even more vulnerable?

A recent study published in Climate and Development sheds light on the experiences of climate migrants living in informal settlements in southwestern Bangladesh. The findings suggest that relocating away from areas affected by climate hazards does not guarantee safety, particularly when urban planning and social protection systems do not address their specific needs. In Shariatpur district, Billal Hossain shares his story...