KHULNA, Apr 22: A media advocacy meeting titled "Strengthening Social Protection for Climate-Induced and Internally Displaced Migrants: Challenges and Way Forward" was held at the Shaheed Humayun Kabir Balu Auditorium of Khulna Press Club on Wednesday, bringing together journalists, academics, and development practitioners to discuss the growing challenges faced by climate migrants in Bangladesh.
Organised by Caritas Bangladesh, Khulna region, the programme was attended by Khulna Press Club Convener Enamul Haque as the chief guest. In his remarks, he underscored the critical role of the media in amplifying the voices of vulnerable communities and ensuring that their struggles are reflected in national discourse and policymaking.
Speakers at the meeting highlighted that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality that is displacing not only individual families but also entire communities. Frequent natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, and river erosion are increasingly destroying homes, agricultural land, and livelihoods, particularly in coastal and disaster-prone regions. As a result, many affected people are compelled to migrate to urban areas in search of work and survival.
They pointed out that this unplanned migration often leads to overcrowding in cities, putting pressure on urban infrastructure and services. The speakers stressed that ensuring basic services, employment opportunities, and social safety nets in vulnerable coastal areas could significantly reduce migration pressure and help people remain in their native communities.
Assistant Professor of the Disaster Management Institute at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Dr Mohammad Ismail Hossain, presented the keynote paper, providing insights into the current gaps in social protection frameworks. Project Coordinator Pabitra Kumar Mandal delivered the welcome speech.
