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South AsiaBangladesh

Good harvests instead of climate crisis

Supporting river island communities in Bangladesh

Northern Bangladesh is one of the poorest regions in the country. The climate crisis is an additional threat to people's livelihoods. As a result, more and more families are leaving their home villages. This is where our project with our partner organisation Gana Unnayan Kendra comes in. Together, we are creating future prospects for families living on river islands.

The picture shows women sitting in a circle on the floor. There is a bowl of rice in the middle, and some of them are pouring more rice into it.
A strong community against the climate crisis - this is what our project in northern Bangladesh stands for.

Gaibandha is one of the poorest regions in the country and one of the most threatened by hunger. Many people live on the river islands of the Brahmaputra. During the monsoon season, the river swells to a width of up to 15 kilometers. The climate crisis is exacerbating an already difficult situation for local communities: every year, flooding in the villages leads to significant losses of livestock, seeds, crops and habitable land. As a result, many families are displaced from their homes.

In this joint project, the people of the river islands are being educated on how to better prepare for floods and protect themselves from cyclones. Additionally, they receive training on topics related to safe migration. This includes raising awareness about the risks of migration as well as informing potential migrants about safe migration procedures.

We support 106 community groups that run awareness programmes in their regions to increase understanding of climate change and environmental protection. At the same time, group leaders are engaging in dialogue with local government to address migration-related challenges and develop solutions together. Our goal is to amplify their voices and empower them to actively advocate for their communities.

Mamunur R., Project Coordinator at our partner organisation Gana Unnayan Kendra 

Community-based organisations: Stronger together for the future

In our projects, we work with community-based groups to drive change at the local level. Migrants, returnees and people displaced by climate change meet regularly to discuss challenges and learn about safe migration and how to cope with climate change.

The group leaders support their members in accessing assistance from authorities in the areas of agriculture and migration. They also advocate for protective measures against the effects of climatic events. In addition, group members can take courses to develop new income opportunities.

A key part of the project is the construction of three cluster villages. These will provide a safe home for 64 climate-displaced families from river regions, offering access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities.

Projectinfo

Place/Region Gaibandha, Bangladesch
Partner GUK (Gana Unnayan Kendra)
Activities
  • Awareness-raising measures for migrants, returnees, and internally displaced persons on safe migration, hygiene/health, state welfare benefits, and rights
  • Creation and strengthening of sustainable social structures (community groups) in the communities (106 groups in total)
  • Advocacy and dialogue on safe migration with local and national government representatives
  • Strengthening livelihoods and implementing income-generating activities & training
  • Establishment of cluster villages (with sanitation infrastructure)
Duration January 1, 2023, until December 31, 2025
Budget 305,000.00 EUR
Sponsor German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

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