Civil society leaders have demanded a special allocation in the national budget to address the worsening crisis in Bangladesh’s coastal regions, warning that climate change and recurring natural disasters have put the lives and livelihoods of people in 19 coastal districts at grave risk.
The demands were made at a press conference organised by the Climate Action Forum (CAF) and Leaders at the National Press Club on Sunday.
Forum Convener Aminur Rasul Babu chaired the press conference, with a keynote speech presented by Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, Coordinator of the Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement.
Speaking at the event, Assistant Professor Mir Mohammad Ali of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University said the coastal region is extremely important for Bangladesh’s economy, food security, fisheries, and biodiversity.
“The Sundarbans acts as the country’s natural protective shield and plays a vital role in combating climate change by absorbing carbon. Meanwhile, the export of shrimp, crab, and marine fish contributes significantly to foreign exchange earnings,” he said.
Yet, he noted, the allocation for the climate sector in the national budget is insufficient compared to needs, and the lack of separate, targeted planning for the coastal region is evident. “The current government must take effective initiatives in this regard,” he added.
In his chairman’s speech, Aminur Rasul said it is extremely urgent to ensure a special budget allocation, establish sustainable embankments and safe drinking water systems, expand social safety net programmes, develop climate-resilient agriculture and infrastructure, preserve the Sundarbans, and adopt integrated long-term plans to combat disaster risks.
He called upon the government, local administration, civil society, and development partners to take integrated initiatives to protect the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities.
The press conference presented a 21-point demand, including: formation of a Coastal Development Board for inter-ministerial coordination to ensure balanced development of the 19 coastal districts; creation of separate offices for the South-West Coast, Central Coast, and South-East Coast; declaration of the coast, including Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Barguna, and Patuakhali, as climate and disaster-risk prone areas; establishment of environment-friendly economic zones; construction of sustainable embankments and repair of risky embankments; ensuring safe drinking water in remote coastal areas; renovation of cyclone shelters to be women, child, disabled, and elderly-friendly; and making every home disaster-resilient.
Among others who spoke were former president of Dhaka Reporters Unity Rafiqul Islam Azad, Executive Director of SIRAK Bangladesh SM Saikat, Joint Secretary of BAPA Humayun Kabir Sumon, General Secretary of Sachetan Sangstha Sakila Parveen, National Advocacy Coordinator of Leaders Shakil Ahmed, and Convener of the Youth Climate Action Forum Sadia Sultana Shapala.
