Livelihood is the primary driver of internal migration in Bangladesh, although climate change is also a factor, according to a study by ActionAid Bangladesh.
The findings of the study, “Addressing climate induced migration in Bangladesh: Taking a human rights-based approach,” were disclosed on a webinar on Tuesday.
254 people from 13 communities in five districts participated in the study. Of the five districts, Sunamganj, Khulna and Naogaon were source areas while Dhaka and Chittagong were destinations for migrants.
The study found that livelihood superseded river erosion and natural disasters as reasons for migration of the sample population.
It also found a lack of diversified skills in migrants, and that debt is a common reason for both seasonal and permanent migration.
A lack of local government mechanisms or information systems to support families also led many to migrate, according to the study.
“Cities such as Khulna and Sunamganj are not ready to host mass migration. This is why people are heading to Dhaka and Chittagong. But these two big cities and other cities are not adequately ready as safe, environmentally friendly, and rightful hosts for migrants,” the study said.
After migrating to another place, many families or communities are often forced to migrate again due to development interventions taking place.
In urban spaces, fear of eviction remains a constant threat and migrant families do not receive local government services as they are not voters in the area.
Migrant families in urban slums face environmental challenges as well as challenges related to basic services such as water, sanitation, and lack of social security. Migrant families also have no guarantee of work at their destinations.
In source areas, women reported that they face sexual and mental harassment from men in the community when male household members migrate.
Prof Dr Saleemul Huq of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) said: “I hope that in the future, development plans, policies, and the means of addressing migration will be more focused. Cities must be climate resilient, migrant friendly.“
Md Shamsuddoha, chief executive of the Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), said: “It cannot be said that pull factors are behind migration unless we secure human rights, quality of life, infrastructure, and justice in urban areas. Some push factors are behind migration. It could be economic or climate induced.
“We need to address climate induced migration properly,” he added.
Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid, said: “Policy recommendations have to be more comprehensive. We must convey the message to policy makers.”
She emphasized youth engagement to make cities migrant friendly.
