Khulna, Apr 16: Speakers at a human chain in Khulna on Thursday highlighted the harsh realities of service deprivation faced by climate migrants and urged immediate government intervention.
The human chain was held at around 11:30 am in front of the Khulna Press Club on Sir Iqbal Road, organized by climate migrants.
Speakers at the programme stressed the need to address key challenges including lack of permanent housing, shortage of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, difficulties in accessing healthcare services, and the absence of safe toilets for women.
They also pointed to limited employment opportunities, complications in changing addresses on national identity cards, and the need to strengthen government social safety-net programmes.
Around 200 climate change-induced migrants and internally displaced people from wards 9, 21, 22, and 31 of Khulna City Corporation participated in the programme.
The human chain was organized with support from the DRR-CCA project of Caritas Khulna region.
The main theme of the programme was strengthening social safety-net programmes for climate migrants and internally displaced communities.
Presided over by JinnatAra, President of SDNC Ward No. 22, the event was addressed by convener of Khulna Press Club Enamul Haque as the chief guest.
Among others, speakers included SDNC Ward No. 9 Vice-President Md. Bellal Hossain Liton, Rikta Khatun of Ward No. 31, Sabina Yasmin, and two community representatives from each ward.
At the end of the programme, a signed memorandum prepared by the climate migrant community was formally handed over to the administrator of Khulna City Corporation.
