The number of climate migrants is rising in 17 upazilas of the Khulna region due to the adverse impacts of climate change.
As a result, migration from rural areas to Khulna city is also increasing sharply.
A survey conducted on slum dwellers in four wards under the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) showed that 66–70% of the residents are climate migrants. This information was shared at the inauguration ceremony of a job fair arranged by Caritas Khulna, a non-governmental organization, on December 7. Two hundred participants from Khulna city and Koyra, Dacope and Assasuni upazilas took part in the fair.
Additional Divisional Commissioner of Khulna Division Md. Sakhawat Hossain inaugurated the job fair. Special guests included KCC’s Chief Executive Officer Sharif Asif Rahman and Khulna Women Affairs Department Deputy Director Suraiya Siddika. The event was moderated by Caritas Khulna’s MEAL Coordinator Md. Ibrahim Hossain.
Rikta Begum, who came seeking employment at the fair, said that in 2007, she was a 12-year-old seventh grader living with her parents and four siblings in Sharankhola. Cyclone Sidr destroyed their home, land, and everything they owned. Afterward, they took refuge in KCC’s Ward 31. They arrived here with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. Since then, they have been facing hardship. Rikta (30) now struggles to bring up her two children. As they have not been able to reclaim their land, they are living in a city slum. She came to the fair seeking employment after receiving training from Caritas.
Caritas Khulna Program Officer Sumon Kumar Malakar said that 10 lakh people are at climate risk in 17 upazilas of six districts in the Khulna region. Of them, Caritas is working to improve the livelihoods of 2 lakh people. As part of its ongoing support for disadvantaged people, Caritas has trained 300 people in 12 trades, prioritizing climate-displaced individuals from Dacope, Koyra, Assasuni, and Shyamnagar upazilas.
Caritas Khulna Regional Director Albino Nath said that Caritas is the world’s third-largest charitable network, working for disadvantaged people. Two to three cyclones hit the region every year. Coastal people largely depend on the Sundarbans and fishing. After imposing the ban, they cannot find any alternative job. So, Caritas selected 300 people for training from high-risk zones.
Khulna Women Affairs Department Deputy Director Suraiya Siddika said that the job market is highly competitive, so instead of only seeking jobs, people must also pursue entrepreneurship. People migrate to the city and take refuge in slums due to the adverse effects of climate change.
KCC Chief Executive Officer Sharif Asif Rahman said the climate crisis is a global issue. Despite suffering losses, Bangladesh does not receive proportional compensation. Therefore, skill development is essential. Agriculture faces major climate impacts—for example, cyclones during harvest destroy crops and increase poverty. He also stressed the need for alternative skills.
Additional Divisional Commissioner Md. Sakhawat Hossain said that building awareness among people is crucial to minimise losses caused by natural disasters. Rising temperatures and sea levels are driving increased migration, traffic congestion, and unskilled urban labour. Migration to cities will continue, but people must become skilled to access employment opportunities. There is no alternative to skill training.
Later, he awarded Rikta Begum and Zafar Iqbal, winners of a quiz competition held at the event.