Integrated strategies to minimize the socio-economic impacts on climate change refugees in Bangladesh

Abstract

Migration is one of the most challenging consequences that residents, as well as local and national governments, face due to climate change. Flooding, deforestation, erosion and a rising sea-level are the primary causes of displacing populations. In addition, securing adequate nutrition and managing drought and salt water intrusion, impacts the sustainability of fledgling communities. Their ability to flourish depends on adaptability to a new environment, utilizing resources maximally and the resilience to rebuild their lives after destruction. This paper outlines a legal and institutional framework to respond to climate-induced human migration. Appropriate responses from the developed world whose industrial emissions are majorly responsible for hastening climate change, plays a critical role in preventing a global humanitarian crisis. The concept of 'climigration' has been the topic of recent debate. Robin Bronen concluded that 'climigration' has indeed played a pivotal role in permanent relocation of various societies secondary to a rising sea-level. Steven Castles also agrees that third world ecological ruin is crucial in people fleeing their homes, and Lori Hunter hypothesized that demographers can play a vital role in population distribution related to environmental hazards. The above statements consolidate that climate related migration is indeed a very real problem. In developing countries migration has become commonplace because of politically fragile and poor economies. Vast populace is frequently displaced by natural calamities like flood, tropical cyclone and river bank erosion. People thus dislocated and lost their natural habitat are forced to migrate to new locations, usually to urban slums. These are areas where health suffers drastically due to poor sanitation, insufficient food supply and lack of other livelihood opportunities, resulting in acute poverty of the migrants. When frustration creeps in they tend to indulge in crimes, drugs and violence. They sell themselves to be used by vested interest groups, e.g. corrupt politicians and mighty corporate bodies. Disruption of peace and social harmony thus become widespread, sometimes stretching beyond boundaries. As the 'equality principle' contained in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) contemplates, two major strategies need be evolved in dealing with climate change refugees: mitigation and adaptation. With regard to developing countries this will mean that the first one should address the causes of such displacements and ways to prevent them, while the latter should aim to reinforce the ability of societies and ecosystems to cope with and adapt to climate change risks. Climate change adaptation includes wide range of actions, including improvement of disaster planning, relocation of population from the risk areas, and their rehabilitation with proper care. Victims of such natural disasters require economic and political stability in order to restore their homes in their country. Government and non-government organizations must take preventative and protective measures to support them. If governments fail to do so, people are forced to re-establish themselves in alternative locations. Systems and procedures have to be established in order to identify those who are in genuine need of Permanent Secured Habitat. We must ensure that any measures taken by governments to curb immigration do not prevent refugees from receiving the support to which they are morally entitled. A detailed understanding regarding the roles and responsibilities of the different sectors that are involved in aiding and intercepting people at sea and other migrant points is necessary. Accelerated global climate change will play a more prominent role in migration which was once embedded in complex political, social and economic factors. Preventing an outpouring of 'homeless' populations will require integrated strategies for their sustenance. The solution to the problem of climate associated migration can only be addressed by attacking the root cause, and then providing sanctuary and aid for those areas and communities already affected. This paper will analyze and discuss in more detail the above outlined principles, hypotheses and will be suggesting ways in which to improve dealing with climate change refugees.