The People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Council: United Nations Hu
Topic: Addressing the Issues of Climate Refugees
Name: Nathanael Owen Chandra
Background and Past Action:
A staggering 59.1 million people were displaced within their own countries in 2021.1
The cause of this is none other than climate change, these unfortunate souls seeking refuge
are recognized as climate refugees. Despite its designation, the International Refugee Law
does give legal recognition to these desperate souls whatsoever due to their definition of
refugee (group of individuals being forced to leave their countries due to persecution).2
Recognized or not, these climate refugees deserve an immediate response by the masses due
to its ever increasing numbers. Climate change is the primary reason behind the hardships
faced by climate refugees. It leads to more frequent and severe droughts, flooding from rising
sea levels, and destructive wildfires. These events force people to leave their beloved homes
in search of safety, illustrating the harsh effects of climate change, and emphasising on its
urgency.
The UNHCR has done several actions in the past to deal with climate-induced
displacement. Past actions such as deploying relief teams to aid in Central America, Mexico
as there were 3 million people affected by Hurricane Eta throughout 2020. Acts like these
have helped reduce the negative effects it had on people.
Status Quo:
The People’s Republic of Bangladesh acknowledges the urgency of climate refugees
as a significant problem the country is facing. Over the past three decades, the capital city
Dhaka has been a prominent location for displacement due to floods frequently occurring
because of the rising sea levels. Most of which are happening in slums with hundreds and
thousands of people dwelling within. The frequent occurrence of floods amplifies the climate
change crisis as Bangladesh is already 75% underwater.
Projects such as One House, One Family at a time has aided these climate refugees in
seeking a new permanent home, away from the flood. Dutch NGO Stichting FortUna which
The People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Council: United Nations Hu
Topic: Addressing the Issues of Climate Refugees
Name: Nathanael Owen Chandra
has been matched by DS. Together these funds will provide rights-based land and housing
solutions for two climate-displaced families (12 persons) in South-Eastern Bangladesh. It
only takes $8,400 to give climate refugees a new life starting with land, solar energy, and
access to clean water.
Resolution:
Instead of aids temporarily solving the problem, or allocate refugees to other countries
to give them the problem to solve Bangladesh suggests a project, Fortifying Families: Free
From Flooding (5F Movement), is a project in which a country can allocate some of their
government funds or gain monetary funds from other countries in building a flood proof
suburban housing. Since most countries have at least one underpopulated region, these
climate refugees can be allocated to these regions where infrastructures will be built to make
it a habitable place for the refugees. Refugees will be paid by helping in the construction, and
solve underemployment problems as well.
This 5F Movement is not only applicable to The People’s Republic of Bangladesh, but
to other countries as well facing similar problems. By being involved in the General
Assembly of the United Nations, these problems will be recognized and aid will soon be
given. It is not a matter of planning anymore, but a matter of act. The sooner this project
starts, the sooner the problem gets resolved.
The People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Council: United Nations Hu
Topic: Addressing the Issues of Climate Refugees
Name: Nathanael Owen Chandra
Bibliography:
UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2022). Global Trends Forced
Displacement 2021. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr.org/global-trends
UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2021). The 1951 Refugee
Convention. Retrieved from
https://www.unhcr.org/about-unhcr/who-we-are/1951-refugee-convention
United Nations Development Programme. (n.d.). Climate Change and Displacement.
Retrieved from
https://www.undp.org/stories/navigating-disaster-displacement-asia-turning-cities-green
One House, One Family at a time - DS Action. Retrieved from
https://www.displacementsolutions.org/news/categories/one-house-one-family
The Third Pole. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/stability-eludes-climate-refugees-in-bangladeshs-sink
ing-cities/
