How do climate disasters force families to abandon homes and seek refuge in Dhaka slums?

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Climate Disasters Force Families to Abandon Homes and Seek Refuge in Dhaka Slums

Extreme weather events, including floods, river erosion, and storms, are directly compelling families in Bangladesh to abandon their homes and farmlands, leading to a significant migration towards the slums of Dhaka. This displacement is often triggered by the complete loss of property and livelihoods, pushing individuals, including children, into precarious urban living conditions and forcing them into labour to survive.
Loss of Homes and Farmland Due to River Erosion and Floods

The Ilsha river's erosion has been a direct cause of displacement for families like Alamin's, whose house and farmland were washed away, forcing them to relocate to a slum in Keraniganj near Dhaka. Similarly, Alauddin, aged 10, moved to a Dhaka slum after a flood destroyed his family's home and land, illustrating a pattern where river erosion and severe flooding render rural areas uninhabitable and unproductive. These events strip families of their assets, leaving them with no alternative but to seek shelter elsewhere.
Children Entering the Workforce Due to Climate-Induced Hardship

The consequences of climate-related disasters extend to the education and well-being of children, with many being forced into labour. Alamin, aged twelve, now works on a shipbreaking crew after his family lost their property to the river and savings to cancer treatments. Unicef reports that droughts, floods, and river erosion have left millions of children homeless, hungry, and out of school, with many subsequently entering the workforce to support their families.
Increased Flood-Driven Erosion and Limited Resettlement Land

In Bangladesh, a nation with a vast river system, a combination of increased flood-driven erosion and a scarcity of land available for resettlement is a primary driver forcing rural families into urban slums. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that children constitute a significant portion of the population, and they are disproportionately affected by these climate-induced migrations and the subsequent loss of educational opportunities.
Disruption of Educational Institutions and Long-Term Educational Loss

Flooding events have directly impacted educational infrastructure, with over 500 educational institutions inundated in the past year, leading to prolonged closures. Many students affected by these disruptions do not return to school, instead becoming involved in work to contribute to their families' survival. This phenomenon, compounded by previous pandemic-related school closures, has led to millions of children in Bangladesh experiencing disrupted education, with climate change identified as a significant factor in school dropouts.

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How do climate disasters force families to abandon homes and seek refuge in Dhaka slums?

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