Workshop on climate change, displacement held in Sylhet

The Bangladesh Parliamentarians’ Caucus on Migration and Development has organized a two-day workshop to address climate change, climate-induced migration, and the needs of climate-vulnerable communities.

The workshop was arranged at the Grand Sultan Tea Resort and Golf Club in Sreemangal, Sylhet on Tuesday and Wednesday. The event was supported by PROKAS, the British Council, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), according to a press release.

The workshop was inaugurated with special remarks from Anisul Islam Mahmud, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Mujibul Haque, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

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The program started with a brief presentation on the activities and accomplishments of the Parliamentarians’ Caucus on Migration and Development by Mahjabeen Khaled, former MP and secretary general of the caucus.

Syed Saiful Haque, chairman of WARBE Development Foundation, pointed out the importance of defining the needs and rights of the climate migrants and displaced people. 

Dr Atiq Rahman, executive director of Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS), mentioned that migrants who end up at slums in Dhaka would often be better off in their villages, as there is greater social capital available at the villages.

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Special guest Dr Tasneem Siddique, chairperson of the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU), urged the development of alternative cities alongside megacities. 

“If we plan our cities in terms of climate change and target employment and  connectivity well, climate related migration could become an opportunity,” she said.

Aroma Dutta, member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Social  Welfare, stressed the importance of collaboration between members of parliament and civil society organizations to counter climate change and assist climate migrants.