Climate Change - Humanitarian impact in

Humanitarian impacts of climate change are exacerbated by an ensuing post-disaster economic crisis

Community insights tell us about how humanitarian impacts of the climate crisis are significantly exacerbated by an ensuing economic crisis following climate-related disasters. People are displaced or migrate following a climate-related disaster, to then be faced with rising prices and lack of resources, as well as having to adapt to new contexts.

Recent increase in extreme weather events affect farmers and force changes in how they make a living, and where they live, showing that climate change is a complex problem that affects different people in different ways.

Because of heat waves and unpredictable rains farmers must migrate for their livelihoods. But many people only have farming skills, so they struggle to adapt in urban areas.

Farzana

26 years-old
Tangail

Actions by communities to minimize post-disaster economic losses may cause people to face new risks

To minimize the financial impact of the recurring loss of their homes, some people must make the hard choice of living in even more precarious situations.

Underlining the crucial role of community support for collective efforts in facing disasters and access to resources for effective recovery.

I used to have four concrete houses, but due to riverbank erosion I have lost them all. Every few years I have to move my house to a new place. That's why now I only have a small shed made out of hay and straw, which is easier to move and much less expensive to build.

Meena

57 years-old
Satkhira

Decision-making and responsibility on adaptation solutions often lie with certain age groups in society, with further scope for collective decision-making and action

Peer influence is crucial for climate adaptation, with positive instances demonstrating significant impact in fostering shared responsibility and collective efforts, offering opportunities for community engagement and shared learning to enhance, both short- and longer-term climate resilience.

However, decision-making and responsibility on adaptation solutions may lie with certain age groups with for example, middle-aged from the working class over-seeing and leading solutions

The young and old cannot fully comprehend the effects of climate change, and so they are less able to adhere to community coping mechanisms. They are reliant on the middle-age working class for how to combat this which in turns elevates their already pressurised conditions.

Nusrat

37 year old
Women Group Discussion
Satkhira

Lack of resources in urban areas increases vulnerabilities of those displaced by climate change

The climate crisis in coastal areas, including salinization and increasingly intense and frequent cyclones, is driving displacement to urban areas, where extreme heat and significant economic challenges create a parallel crisis, making many communities more vulnerable in the long-term.

Factors like age, location, and income influence the level of concern, with lower-income individuals expressing more concern due to financial limitations. 

Since cyclones are the single most destructive disaster for this area, the coastal and most vulnerable people often migrate to the city [where extreme heath makes it unbearable for low-income people]. The lack of resources in our city, which in turns causes the price of goods to rise continuously, is the biggest threat for Satkhira to support the most affected communities.

Kareem & Samira

60 & 53 years old,
Satkhira

Build and maintain community trust by ensuring climate information comes from reliable sources and can be acted upon

Community trust in climate information is diverse, ranging from reliance on expert knowledge and early warning systems to verification from peers within the community.

Although trust in local organizations addressing climate change is there, challenges persist about transparency in aid delivery from some NGOs. Internet access and information from community members contribute to overall trust in climate-related information.

Sometimes, we get the wrong information or the outcome of the predictions might not always be correct, but we still seek information the next time because we care about our lives and families.

Ashraf

40 years old
Restaurant manager
Tangail

Affected people are often not aware of support available

While some individuals in the community receive support, such as cash transfers, food assistance, or safety nets, to deal with the impact of climate-related disasters there are challenges in accessing these programs. The eligibility for assistance is determined by the severity of the impact, and challenges arise due to a lack of awareness on how to access support, unclear processes, and limited resources, leaving some in the community without aid during crises. 

The involvement of local government and humanitarian organizations is crucial, emphasizing the need for effective communication and outreach to ensure equitable access to support programs.

Local NGOs give us micro-credit support [if we lose our livelihoods due to river erosion]. But [when there is a cyclone people get help before it happens, when they are in the shelter, and beyond]. There are training and skill-building facilities available, but we don’t know where and how to get them, and how it will serve us to be better.

Sumaiya

49 years old
Farmer's spouse
Tangail