As climate change and disaster-induced internal displacement has become a global crisis today, the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) has developed a strategic model framework for managing climate change and disaster-induced displacement for member countries of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, recognizing the need for specific policies to address this crisis.
This model framework was officially launched on Monday at an event held at the Mozaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Dhaka.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Faruk E Azam, adviser for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Prof Tasneem Siddiqui, acting executive director of RMMRU, Lance Bonneau from the International Organization for Migration, and Dr Taiabur Rahman, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, among others were present at the event.
What does the model framework contain?
This model framework, inspired by Bangladesh's National Strategy, provides a comprehensive three-phase approach for Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) countries to manage internal displacement.
The template is designed to be adaptable to different national contexts while addressing the critical stages of displacement management through structured guidance and key questions.
“The Prevention” phase focuses on reducing vulnerability and building resilience before displacement occurs.
This involves strengthening early warning systems, conducting displacement hotspot mapping to identify high-risk areas, and implementing livelihood diversification strategies such as promoting disaster-resistant crops and accessible vocational training.
Key guiding questions help countries assess how to localize warning systems, determine data requirements for effective mapping, and develop strategies to minimize displacement risks.
“The Protection during the Displacement” phase ensures the safety, rights, and well-being of displaced populations. This phase emphasizes providing emergency relief, safe shelter, essential services, and access to vocational training and employment opportunities.
Critical questions guide governments in developing evacuation plans that protect vulnerable groups like women and children, establishing legal frameworks to uphold displaced people's rights, and maintaining livelihood support during displacement.
“The Durable Solutions” phase aims to secure sustainable outcomes through voluntary return, local integration, or planned relocation.
This phase addresses housing and livelihood restoration, ensures security of tenure, preserves cultural identity, and develops sustainable economic opportunities.
When return is not feasible, the framework emphasizes partnerships with international organizations and private sector involvement to finance and implement large-scale integration or relocation efforts.
Moving forward, Bangladesh plans to launch this template at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, formally transferring it to the CVF secretary general.
The launch will be followed by an interministerial feedback workshop, allowing CVF countries to provide input and adapt the framework to their specific socio-political, geographic, and economic contexts.
Speakers' remarks
Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that displacement is not just Bangladesh's problem - all 69 member countries of the Climate Vulnerable Forum are dealing with displacement issues in one way or another.
"Indeed, ensuring adaptation for displaced populations is the single greatest challenge of climate change," she said.
She further said that this model framework, created based on Bangladesh's national strategy for displacement management among Climate Vulnerable Forum states, will be presented internationally at COP30.
“It will be a tremendous honour for us if other countries follow Bangladesh's model and undertake their own displacement management programs,” she said.
Faruk E Azam explained how, under the “Shikasti Poyasti” law, officially named as The Bengal Alluvion and Diluvion Regulation of 1825, when displaced people's land re-emerges, unscrupulous groups forcibly buy documents from victims at nominal prices and become landowners.
"Bangladesh's national strategy on internal displacement management will guide various government departments in securing the rights of displaced people," he said.
Prof Tasneem Siddiqui, who led the drafting of the displacement management strategy, action plan, and the Climate Vulnerable Forum displacement template, said that in 2024 alone, 2.4 million people were temporarily displaced in Bangladesh.
She said: "From 2014 to 2022, a total of 17 million Bangladeshis were displaced. ADB (Asian Development Bank) and IDMC (Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre) highlighted Bangladesh's strategy as best practice in their 2024 displacement financing report."
She further noted that Bangladesh's national strategy has been well-received internationally, and Bangladesh's leadership in displacement management has been recognized at the UN Disaster Risk Reduction GP 2019 & 2020, the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Disaster Risk Reduction Conference held in Manila, and the 2022 conference held in Australia.
As the lead representative, Lance Bonneau from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said: "IOM will play a role in international and Bangladeshi displacement management."
Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan, the event's chair and vice-chancellor of the University of Dhaka, said that templates like these are vital frameworks.
He added: "I commend the University of Dhaka faculty for their internationally impactful research and pledge my full support for continuing such initiatives."
