19 million at risk of climate displacement by 2050 without effective measures, warns Prof Tasneem Siddiqui

Without effective measures to tackle climate-induced challenges, around 19 million (190 lakh) people in Bangladesh could be displaced by slow-onset climate disasters by 2050, warned migration expert Prof Tasneem Siddiqui. 

She made the remarks at a workshop titled "Introduction and Stakeholder Consultation on the National Strategy on Internal Displacement due to Climate Change 2021," organised by Refugee and Migratory Movement Research Unit (RMMRU) on Thursday (8 May) at a hotel in the capital.

The workshop focused on familiarising participants with the National Strategy on Internal Displacement due to Climate Change 2021, formulated by the Government of Bangladesh, and the National Action Plan 2022–2042 developed for its implementation. 

Tasneem, the acting executive director of RMMRU, said although many action plans and strategies are formulated, they often remain unimplemented due to budget constraints. 

However, she noted that this national policy is already being implemented in various areas. 

"We want the government to allocate resources to support this strategy," she said.

Additionally, discussions were held on a template, currently being developed by Bangladesh, to assist Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) countries in formulating their own national strategies on internal displacement management.

Mentionable, Bangladesh presented its National Strategy at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP26) in 2021, during a session of the Climate Vulnerable Forum. At that time, the then secretary general of CVF requested Bangladesh to develop a standardised template to help other CVF member countries prepare their own national strategies. 

Nazrul Islam, secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, shared his personal observations of the dire conditions faced by people affected by river erosion. 

"They have no homes, no toilet systems, no access to safe drinking water — I have witnessed their helplessness firsthand," he said.

He emphasised the need to construct housing for them, which would greatly benefit their lives. "I believe the time has come to focus on this issue."

He also highlighted the plight of Pakistan-origin refugees living in Bangladesh in extremely vulnerable humanitarian conditions.

KM Abdul Wadud, additional secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, expressed hope the strategy and action plan will be reviewed once more by June.