Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and one Bangladeshi out of seven is likely to be internally displaced by 2050 due to climate change. About 40.3 million people of about 50 countries have been displaced from their own countries either as a victim of violation of human rights or clash or climate change. Speakers said this while addressing a seminar on ‘National Strategy on Management of Disaster and Climate Induced Internal Displacement (NSMDCIID)’ held at the city’s CIRDAP auditorium yesterday.

The seminar was organized by civil society organizations where State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman, Senior Secretary of Foreign Ministry Shahidul Haque, Additional Secretary of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Md. Mohsin, climate change expert Dr. Atiq Rahaman and Dhaka University Professor Tasneem Siddique and Executive Director of COAST Trust Rezaul Karim Chowdhury were speakers. Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed, Chairman of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) chaired the seminar.

According to the speakers, 17% land of Bangladesh along with 20-25 million people will be in risk of internal displacement by 2050.

They also said that globally on average 2.6 million people per year have been internally displaced in the last few decades.

They warned that about 160 million people will be displaced across the world by 2050, while around 200-250 million

people are at risk and are likely to be displaced due to global

temperature rise [1.80C to 40C]. As per climate induced internal displacement (CIID) report, in Bangladesh, 0.2 million people have been displaced due to sea level rise and salinity, 9.35 per cent people due to river erosion, 0.5 million due to ‘SIDR’, 0.2 million due to ‘Ayla’ and 1.7 million people have been temporarily displaced due to flood.

However, the civil society members demanded the government for a wider participation of all stakeholders before finalizing the national strategic policy on climate change issue.

“A large number of people in Bangladesh are being internally displaced due to climate change and other natural disasters every year. Besides, thousands of acres of land are being eroded due to river erosion,” Enamur Rahman said.

Referring the CIID report, the state minister said that they are preparing NSMDCIID as CIID research found that at least one Bangladeshi out of seven is likely to be internally displaced by 2050.

“We are taking assistance from experts in preparing the national strategy paper in a view to reduce the displacement percentage. A huge portion of people of the total population are living coastal areas. So, we want to ensure participation of all stakeholders in formulating the policy,” state minister for disaster management and relief said.

Shahidul Huq said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have always strongly raised the climate change issue wherever she visited.

“Our PM always challenges the big countries who are holding power on climate change issue,” the senior secretary of foreign ministry said.

He further said that strong civil society involvement made it possible to raise important issues amidst the global politics on climate change.

Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed said that the preparation of the national strategy must focus on setting the priority areas and develop accordingly.

He also expects that the national strategy should be compatible to the government’s international negotiation strategy on displacement issues.