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Climate Change, Natural Disasters and Socioeconomic Livelihood Vulnerabilities: Migration Decision Among the Char Land People in Bangladesh

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Abstract

The main research objective was to explore the causes and nature of the char peoples’ migration decisions due to their livelihood vulnerabilities related to climate change and natural disasters in Bangladesh. Based on a mixed method approach, this study employed a multimethod data collection approach including face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, in-depth case studies, community mapping, and participant observations. The study was conducted on 28 chars in the three Northern Districts that is, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Pabna. Results showed that the char people encountered multiple causes assorted with climate change and natural disasters, as well as socio-economic vulnerabilities that reinforced their decision to migrate from one char to another char. The study found that floods, river bank erosion, lack of employment, and fiscal deficits were prominent factors for their migration. These findings provide an important guideline for the governmental and non-governmental organizations working in disaster prevention, policy makers, and development practitioners.

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Acknowledgements

The author gratefully acknowledges funding from the Centre for Research, Policy and Development (CPRD), Dhaka, Bangladesh for this study.

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  1. Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    M. Rezaul Islam

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Islam, M.R. Climate Change, Natural Disasters and Socioeconomic Livelihood Vulnerabilities: Migration Decision Among the Char Land People in Bangladesh. Soc Indic Res 136, 575–593 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-017-1563-y

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