Running Projects
- Gender and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities-Phase 2
- Adaptation to Vulnerabilities and Psychological Issues: A Study on Displaced Communities in Bangladesh
- 1000 trees plantation in Bangladesh
Completed projects
- Gender and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities-Phase 1
- Livelihood and Resilience Approaches of Marginalized Communities in the Face of Climate Change in Coastal Bangladesh
- Climate Change Vulnerability of Local Communities in Coastal Areas of Bangladesh: A Case Study in Jashore District, Bangladesh
- Livelihood Vulnerability of Internally Displaced People to Climate Change: An Application of Livelihood Vulnerability Index in Coastal Areas of Bangladesh
- A Social-Ecological Analysis of Ecosystem Services in Coastal Areas: Study on Baors (Oxbow Lakes) in Jashore, Bangladesh
- Climate Change Adaptation of Fisherman Communities: A Study on Migrants in Joymonir Gol of Sundarbans, Bangladesh
- Integration of Modern Technology and Traditional Knowledge: Way to Promote Locally Led Adaptation in Flower Cultivation in Jashore, Bangladesh
- Adaptation of Internally Displaced People: Impacts of Climate Change in Satkhira, Bangladesh
- Perception of Residential Students in Chittagong University, Bangladesh: A Exploratory Study regarding Water Quantity and Quality
- Vulnerabilities and Adaptive Capacities: Cyclone in Coastal Areas of Bangladesh
Projects Details
Running Projects
Project name: Gender and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities-Phase 2
Project area: Khulna and Jashore districts of Bangladesh
Duration: January 2022- December 2024
Funded by: EACCH and collaborative project funded by OXFAM-Bangladesh
Background: Global climate change poses a significant threat to humanity, intensifying the frequency and severity of natural hazards and impacting social, economic, and environmental contexts worldwide. Bangladesh, with its geographical features, extensive river systems, and monsoon climate, is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. This susceptibility profoundly affects marginalized populations, jeopardizing their livelihoods and overall security.
Among the most vulnerable are women, children, adolescent girls, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, facing heightened risks due to climate-induced hazards. In coastal areas of Bangladesh, women, in particular, experience increased violence—both physical and psychological—as climate impacts escalate. Factors such as limited control over resources and assets exacerbate their vulnerability, leading to unprecedented challenges. In addition to physical and economic impacts, women also endure psychological stress, including anxiety, depression, and other behavioral issues, influenced by societal expectations and gender roles. However, leveraging indigenous knowledge, local perspectives, mitigation strategies, institutional policies, and effective implementation can mitigate the impacts of climate disasters. These measures can foster a safer and more resilient environment for vulnerable gender groups. This study aims to guide policymakers at various levels in addressing climate change-induced gender violence in Bangladesh’s coastal regions, advocating for proactive initiatives to safeguard affected communities.
Project name: Adaptation to Vulnerabilities and Psychological Issues: A Study on Displaced Communities in Bangladesh
Project area: Kurigram, Chittagong, and Khulna districts
Duration: June 2023- Continuing
Funded by: EACCHBackground: Human migration and displacement are emerging to be some of the largest challenges born from climate change, the impact of which is expected to be observed around the world. There is an urgent need for integrating the considerations of displacement into policy frameworks to ensure robust disaster management as well as climate change adaptation. This is particularly important in developing regions, where natural disasters have prompted high levels of internal migration. In Bangladesh, people are being displaced due to different reasons like disasters like river bank erosion, salinity intrusion, loss of livelihood, etc., while an increasing trend of resettled communities is noticed. This also affects the mental health of the displaced people who become entrapped in an endless cycle of agony. This study was conducted to understand the adaptation efforts of such displaced communities regarding different types of vulnerabilities and psychological aspects in the Northern and Southern parts of Bangladesh, which may provide insights to policymakers for taking necessary actions to ensure sustainable management of displaced communities.
Project name: 1000 trees plantation in Bangladesh
Project area: All over Bangladesh
Duration: June 2023-July 2024
Funded by: EACCH in collaboration with APARAZITABackground: EACCH is excited to kick off a massive tree-planting campaign across Bangladesh starting June 5th, 2024. We are thrilled to have the voluntary organization “APARAZITO” as our collaborator in this initiative. Together, we can make a difference! Let’s walk hand in hand to bring positive change to our environment.
Completed Projects
Project name: Gender and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities-Phase 1
Project area: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Duration: January 2019- December 2021
Funded by: ShareNet Bangladesh
Background: The rapid growth of slums due to increasing population density poses significant challenges to expanding sustainable Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a sprawling megalopolis. The inadequate provision of affordable WASH services, coupled with mismanaged disposal of non-biodegradable menstrual hygiene products, medical waste, and plastics in slums, is creating unfavorable and hazardous environments that threaten public health. Among slum residents, females with disabilities are particularly vulnerable due to these conditions and the lack of necessary support. To address these issues, this study focused on two slums in Dhaka—Korail and Kalyanpur—selected purposively based on their disabled-friendly facilities, to explore female perspectives on various aspects of WASH and menstrual hygiene management (MHM). The research involved in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and interviews with key informants. The case studies underscore the economic strain on families with disabled females, exacerbated by additional costs for specialized toilet facilities, lack of MHM education, challenges in transportation, and the impact on caregivers’ income or job opportunities. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve WASH facilities and MHM support for females with disabilities in Dhaka’s slums. Current policies typically address female, disabled, urban, and pro-poor issues separately, failing to integrate strategies that ensure no one is left behind or burdened economically in the future. There is an opportunity to incorporate these marginalized voices into frameworks such as the SDG tracker and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as national legal frameworks like the revised Pro-Poor Strategy for Water and Sanitation 2020. Specifically, integrating insights from studies like those in Dhaka’s Detailed Area Plan (2016–2035) could accelerate the prioritization of infrastructure for low-income groups, aligning with SDG targets 3 (good health and wellbeing), 5 (gender equality and empowerment of women and girls), and 6 (clean water and sanitation). To advance this agenda, the study proposes conducting a site-specific Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis of the current urban environment for pro-poor disabled females. By ensuring the right to water and promoting water justice, a foundation for social justice can be firmly established.
Project name: Livelihood and Resilience Approaches of Marginalized Communities in the Face of Climate Change in Coastal Bangladesh
Project area: Coastal areas of Bangladesh
Duration: 2022-2023
Funded by: Catalytic Research Grant, 2022 provided by International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), Funded by: Climate Justice Resilience Fund (CJRF) and Global Resilience Partnership (GRP).Background: Natural resource dependent communities are facing increased pressures linked to increasingly uncertain global climate change. While social-ecological systems evolve to accommodate variability, there is growing evidence that changes in weather, cyclones, salinity levels and flood extremes are increasing exposure of currently vulnerable populations in developing countries. In countries like Bangladesh, these pressures are compounded by disruption to institutions and variability in livelihoods, income and social status. The interactions of both rapid and slow onset livelihood disturbance contribute to myriad challenges and slow processes of rural livelihood adaptation across a dynamic coastal landscape. In this study we explore the dynamics in adaptation practices of two disadvantaged communities under a changing climate, drawing on qualitative data from a case study in a remote coastal village of Bangladesh. The research captures the different types of stakeholders involved and the power dynamics within them, complex adaptation practices along with barriers relating to identified stakeholders, providing insight into emergent conditions. The analysis explores local responses to climatic changes through forms of livelihood diversification, formal and informal institutional support, infrastructural changes, social networks, and knowledge and practices that allows them to buffer recurrent shocks. It sheds light on the interplay of economic, social, institutional, and developmental factors in shaping such responses to help decision makers engage in informed, holistic policies and interventions.
Project name: Climate Change Vulnerability of Local Communities in Coastal Areas of Bangladesh: A Case Study in Jashore District, Bangladesh
Project area: Jashore district
Duration: July 2022-June 2023
Funded by: EACCHBackground: Climate change has had severe impacts around the world already with unpredictable temperature extremes, extreme weather events, sea level rises, etc. It is well established that climate change is harming agricultural yield, natural disasters, increasing fire risk, decimating natural resources and forests, and affecting macro-economically. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change due to its geographical location and various socioeconomic dynamics. Climate change-induced water scarcity and frequent extreme weather events is affecting the country’s health, productivity, and economy. Coastal areas of Bangladesh face even magnified risks, being low-lying lands prone to salinity intrusion due to sea level rise, and natural disasters like cyclones and storm surges that destabilize livelihood opportunities and increase health vulnerabilities in the coastal region. This study examines the vulnerabilities in the coastal areas of Bangladesh which will inform future policymaking and help build resilience in the most vulnerable coastal communities in the region.
Project name: Livelihood Vulnerability of Internally Displaced People to Climate Change: An Application of Livelihood Vulnerability Index in Coastal Areas of Bangladesh
Project area: Khulna and Jashore districts
Duration: July 2021-June 2023
Funded by: EACCHBackground: Internally Displaced People (IDP) are individuals or groups of people who have had to resort to leaving or fleeing their homes due to various natural hazards or conflicts, without crossing the border of their country. In addition to conflict and political instability, climate change has been prompting internal migration at an accelerating rate – particularly in the most vulnerable developing countries all over the world. Being particularly vulnerable to natural disasters and experiencing severe effects of climate change, Bangladesh has to manage the emerging crises of internal migration – while being constrained by the limit of available economic capital and natural resources to effectively deal with this issue equitably. The worst effects of climate change on livelihood are often felt in the coastal region, where natural hazards are decimating the livelihoods of the local communities in the absence of livelihood resilience and effective governance. This study investigates the livelihood vulnerability aspect in Bangladesh by focusing on the internally displaced people in the coastal areas of Bangladesh – which provides insight for the policymakers to formulate strategies to manage the emerging issues with livelihood resilience in this region.
Project name: A Social-Ecological Analysis of Ecosystem Services in Coastal Areas: Study on Baors (Oxbow Lakes) in Jashore, Bangladesh
Project area: Jashore district
Duration: January 2022-December 2023
Funded by: EACCHBackground: Natural ecological systems provide multidimensional services to society, the understanding of which is important to maximize the benefits and minimize the undesired effects or trade-offs in ecosystem management. Besides, anthropogenic factors such as land use change mean the ecological services are experiencing frequent dynamic evolution, which can be harnessed to positively respond to economic growth. Proper assessment of ecosystem services including socio-ecological aspects is important in contrast to the major role ecosystem services play in supporting the livelihoods in coastal Bangladesh. Moreover, in Bangladesh, different Haors and Baors (typically oxbow lakes) play a crucial role in sustainable community well-being and enhance local resilience to climate change. This study investigates the ecosystem services in coastal Bangladesh with a particular focus on the Baors in the Jashore district of Bangladesh which will help with properly assessing the services, existing risks, and institutional perspectives in the region.
Project name: Climate Change Adaptation of Fisherman Communities: A Study on Migrants in Joymonir Gol of Sundarbans, Bangladesh
Project area: Joymonir gol area of the Sundarbans area
Duration: January 2022-June 2023
Funded by: EACCHBackground: People are migrating from vulnerable areas to other places in Bangladesh to manage their livelihoods either permanently or temporarily. Migration is not only influenced by climate change; economic, political, social, and geographical factors are also working behind this as the drivers. People used to migrate permanently or seasonally to some places where they can manage income sources for managing their families. Although migration can be an adaptation, migrants can face different forms of vulnerabilities like social, economic, environmental, etc., which may hamper their sustainable management of life and livelihoods. Sundarbans is one of the potential places for migrants in the Southwestern part of Bangladesh because of having various sources of livelihood. Fishing is one of the most common livelihood options in this region, while people are engaging themselves in different occupations based on season, scope, and availability. There are several places like Char or newly emerged lands, where people migrate temporarily or permanently. They have to adapt regarding water and sanitation, food, livelihood, etc. concerning changing patterns of climate change and increasing intensity and frequency of disasters. This study was conducted to understand the adaptation practices of the fishermen community from the perspective of climate change in Joymonir Gol of Sundarbans, while they are residing there as migrants.
Project name: Integration of Modern Technology and Traditional Knowledge: Way to Promote Locally Led Adaptation in Flower Cultivation in Jashore, Bangladesh
Project area: Jashore district
Duration: January 2022-June 2023
Funded by: EACCHBackground: Integrating modern technology with local measures can enhance the efficiency of adaptation efforts. By utilizing the benefits of technology while respecting and incorporating local knowledge and practices, communities can build resilience and adapt more effectively to the challenges of a changing climate. Bangladesh’s flower cultivation sector is vulnerable to climate change impacts such as changes in temperature, rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events. By integrating modern technology such as weather forecasting systems, drip irrigation, etc., flower cultivators can better adapt to these changing conditions and mitigate crop risks. Flower cultivation in Godkhali, Jashore, is a significant agricultural activity in the southwest region of Bangladesh, while farmers are trying to increase their locally led adaptation strategies by incorporating modern technologies with local knowledge. Following the background, this study was conducted in the Godkhali area of Jikorgacha Upazila of Jashore district to assess the status and benefits of incorporating modern technologies with traditional practices to promote locally led adaptation. Findings consist of the following sections based on their perceptions: (a) Changing status of climatic components, (b) Livelihood patterns, (c) Changing status of using technologies in farming over the last 10 years, (d) Barriers to ensuring sustainable locally led adaptation, (e) Roles of stakeholders. Policymakers may find this study useful to initiate measures to ensure sustainable implications of locally-led adaptation by incorporating modern technologies with traditional knowledge in coastal areas of Bangladesh.
Project name: Adaptation of Internally Displaced People: Impacts of Climate Change in Satkhira, Bangladesh
Project area: Assasuni Upazila, Satkhira district
Duration: July 2021-December 2022
Funded by: EACCHBackground: Natural disasters are frequent occurrences in the coastal regions of Bangladesh, often resulting in significant loss of life and resources for affected communities, while climate change is accelerating this situation. The displacement of people due to disasters exacerbates their vulnerability. In Satkhira district, a considerable number of individuals are internally displaced because of natural disasters. It is vital to understand their perceptions on impacts of natural disasters including adaptation strategies. To address this issue, a study was conducted in Assasuni Upazila, Satkhira district, focusing on assessing the disaster preparedness and adaptation of internally displaced people (IDP). The findings indicate that cyclones and floods are the most common disasters, with 48.0% and 50.0% of respondents identifying cyclones and coastal floods as having very high or high intensity, respectively. This study also included different adaptation activities regarding loss of land and houses, lack of health service facilities, protection from disasters, risk for children and women, etc. In addition, community cohesion is one of the strengths, while weak financial status and house structure are identified as weaknesses. Also, stability regarding livelihood after construction of embankment can be identified as an opportunity. Regarding adaptation strategies, respondents expressed pessimism about possibility of reclaiming lost including a reliance on local doctors or community clinics for healthcare needs. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, highlighting the need for targeted actions to support IDPs in coastal areas of Bangladesh.
Project name: Perception of Residential Students in Chittagong University, Bangladesh: A Exploratory Study regarding Water Quantity and Quality
Project area: Chittagong University, Chittagong
Duration: July, 2019-June 2020
Funded by: EACCHBackground: Adequate supply of water with standard quality is important to ensure a healthy life. Globally, people are suffering due to insufficient access to pure and safe water and Bangladesh is not an exceptional case. Residential students living in university premises of Bangladesh require sufficient water to maintain healthy life and uninterrupted study. Following the aspects, this research was conducted to understand the perception of residential students of the Chittagong University (CU) regarding availability of water in terms of quantity and quality. To fulfill the objectives, a total of 498 individual surveys were done with the students of CU living in residential halls and other accommodation arrangements. Also, some of the water quality parameters were analyzed to assess the present status of water in halls. From the findings, 84.7% of the students collected drinking water from the local sources, and among them 72.9% did not follow any method to treat water before drinking. Besides, 50% of the students in hall used to spend about 144.19 BDT/month, where 76% spent about 1420 BDT/month at a time. On the other hand, majority of the respondents did not agree to pay for better supply of water, although they faced different types of water borne diseases. Different measures like rainwater harvesting, separate the water for various uses, excavation of pond etc. can be taken to improve the situation. This study will help policymakers and authorities of education institutions to take initiatives regarding water management for students.
Project name: Vulnerabilities and Adaptive Capacities: Cyclone in Coastal Areas of Bangladesh
Project area: Potuakhali district
Duration: July, 2021-June 2022
Funded by: EACCHBackground: Intensity and frequency of different kinds of disasters like cyclone, flood, storm surges etc. are increasing in Bangladesh, while coastal areas are highly susceptible to impacts of disasters. It is important to understand vulnerabilities and capacities of local people in coastal areas to combat against the effects of disasters. Following the background, this study was conducted in Kolapra Upazila of Potuakhali district to assess the perception of coastal people regarding current vulnerabilities and capacities. To fulfill objectives, 50 in-depth-interviews, 2 focus group discussions and 4 key informant interviews were done. The ranking of the indicators on vulnerabilities and capacities was done by normalization process and weight of indicators was assigned by AHP method. Findings revealed that, all of the respondents usually get early warning during pre-disaster situation, while majority of them (54%) get that from local representatives. Number and quality of cyclone shelters are not sufficient, which is identified as top most vulnerability (1.0). Maximum people replied that they usually visit hotel of Kuakata area as safe shelter during cyclone. In the case of issues to ensure in cyclone shelter, separate toilet for boys and girls is identified as most prioritized aspect (1.0). Also, this study included the assessment of the adaptive strategies from the perspective of three situation of disaster e.g. pre, during, and post-cyclone situation. This study may help policymakers from government and non-government sectors to take necessary actions focusing impacts of disasters in coastal areas.