Project Description:

This study was conducted during November and December, 2020. The purpose of the study was to identify specific climate-induced impacts affecting poor and vulnerable people living in the Char regions of Bangladesh and provide recommendation on how future programming could better help people mitigate or manage climate-induced risk. The study was conducted in two selected Char regions of Kurigram District– Bazra Union and Jatrapur Union. A combination of quantitative (secondary source) and qualitative methodological approaches (primary source) was employed to fulfil the study objectives.  The study was guided by the Sustainable Livelihood Framework, by DFID. A bottom-up approach was employed to bring out relevant information from the target communities. DM WATCH team used different Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools such as community mapping, calendar exercise, vulnerability matrix, social network mapping, and community discussion sessions to collect the primary qualitative data. FGD and KII were also used for other specific groups. The main hazards identified by the participants were flood, drought, river erosion, extreme temperatures and storm. The study found that the community in Kurigram is mostly affected by the flood every year, because of the lack of effective and sustainable adaptation measures against it. Because of the same reasons, river erosion poses the second highest risk. However, the local communities have devised efficient coping strategies against the other hazards listed in the hazard list. The study recommends the formulation of a collaborative platform composed of all actors for devising a true coherent action plan, which would help reading a wider spectrum of beneficiaries.