Bangladesh has become ground zero for the global climate refugee crisis. In 2025, millions of its citizens are either internally displaced or at risk of losing their homes due to climate-related disasters like flooding, river erosion, sea-level rise, and cyclones. With the world’s attention increasingly turning toward the human impact of climate change, Bangladesh serves as a warning and a call to action.
This article explores the scope, causes, and implications of the Bangladesh climate refugee crisis in 2025, and how the country — along with the global community — is responding to one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time.
Who Are Climate Refugees?
Climate refugees, or environmental migrants, are people who are forced to leave their homes due to sudden or gradual environmental changes. These changes can result from:
- Rising sea levels
- Extreme weather events (e.g., cyclones, floods, droughts)
- Salinization of freshwater and arable land
- Riverbank erosion
Unlike traditional refugees, climate refugees often have no legal status under international refugee conventions, making their plight more precarious.
Why Bangladesh Is at the Epicenter
1. Geographic Vulnerability
- Bangladesh is a low-lying deltaic country, with more than 70% of its landmass less than 1 meter above sea level.
- Its location in the Bay of Bengal makes it especially prone to cyclones, tidal surges, and flooding.
2. Population Density
- With over 170 million people in 2025, Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
- Climate-related displacement puts immense pressure on already overburdened urban areas like Dhaka, Khulna, and Chattogram.
3. Economic Dependence on Climate-Sensitive Sectors
- Agriculture, fisheries, and coastal industries are the backbone of rural livelihoods.
- Rising sea levels and saline intrusion threaten millions of farmers and laborers in southern Bangladesh.
Climate Change Impacts in Bangladesh (2025 Update)
a. Sea-Level Rise
- The sea level is rising at more than 3 mm per year in the Bay of Bengal.
- An estimated 15-20% of Bangladesh’s coastal land may become submerged by 2050.
- By 2025, over 2 million people have already been displaced from the southern districts of Bhola, Bagerhat, Satkhira, and Patuakhali.
b. Cyclones and Storm Surges
- Cyclone Mocha (2023) and Remal (2025) caused widespread displacement, destroying homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
- Thousands of families are still living in makeshift shelters, with limited access to food, water, and healthcare.
c. Riverbank Erosion
- Bangladesh loses over 10,000 hectares of land each year due to erosion of rivers like the Padma, Jamuna, and Meghna.
- Entire villages are washed away, displacing rural families who move to urban slums or embankment camps.
d. Salinity Intrusion
- Saline water is encroaching deep into the southern regions due to sea-level rise and shrimp farming.
- Farmers can no longer grow rice or vegetables, forcing them to migrate for work and shelter.
Where Do Climate Refugees Go?
1. Urban Slums
- Dhaka alone absorbs over 400,000 new migrants each year, many of them climate refugees.
- Over 5 million people live in slums, often in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions.
2. Informal Settlements and Embankment Camps
- In Khulna and Barisal, embankments are now home to thousands of families with no access to land, electricity, or education.
3. Cross-Border Migration (Unofficial)
- Some migrants attempt to cross into India through unofficial routes, leading to heightened border tensions and human rights concerns.
Socioeconomic Impacts of the Climate Refugee Crisis
a. Poverty and Unemployment
- Displaced families often lose land, livestock, and savings.
- In cities, they struggle to find stable jobs and are vulnerable to exploitation.
b. Health Risks
- Lack of clean water and sanitation in refugee settlements leads to disease outbreaks such as diarrhea, cholera, and dengue.
c. Education Disruption
- Displacement leads to high dropout rates among children.
- Lack of schools and safe spaces affects children’s development and mental health.
d. Gendered Vulnerability
- Women and girls face increased risks of violence, trafficking, and early marriage in displacement camps.
- Pregnant women lack access to maternal healthcare.
Government Response and Initiatives (2025)
1. Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan
- A forward-thinking strategy to turn climate vulnerability into climate resilience and economic prosperity.
- Focus on renewable energy, green jobs, and sustainable infrastructure.
2. Climate-Resilient Housing Projects
- The Ashrayan Project and other initiatives are building elevated cyclone shelters and climate-resilient homes in affected areas.
- Over 50,000 homes have been built for displaced families since 2021.
3. Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100
- A long-term vision to manage water resources, combat land loss, and ensure food security in the face of climate change.
- Focuses on adaptive river management, urban drainage, and salinity control.
4. Social Safety Net Programs
- The government is expanding cash transfers, food aid, and employment generation programs for displaced populations.
Role of International Organizations
a. UNHCR and IOM Support
- Assisting in shelter, education, and healthcare for climate-displaced families.
- Advocating for the recognition of climate refugees in international law.
b. Green Climate Fund (GCF)
- Funding adaptation projects, embankments, and early warning systems.
c. NGOs and Local Partnerships
- BRAC, Friendship, and other NGOs are active in building schools, latrines, and water filters in refugee communities.
Policy Gaps and Challenges
1. Lack of International Legal Recognition
- Climate refugees do not fall under the 1951 Refugee Convention, making cross-border protection difficult.
2. Overburdened Urban Centers
- Cities like Dhaka and Chattogram are unable to absorb mass migration without worsening living conditions.
3. Insufficient Funding
- Climate adaptation requires billions in investment. Donor fatigue and political instability slow progress.
What Needs to Be Done? (Policy Recommendations)
a. International Climate Refugee Framework
- A new legal status or global compact for climate-induced displacement is urgently needed.
b. Invest in Resilient Infrastructure
- Build more flood-proof schools, hospitals, and homes in vulnerable regions.
c. Promote Planned Relocation
- Identify safe zones for relocating communities instead of reactive migration.
d. Climate-Resilient Livelihoods
- Train displaced persons in new skills — such as solar installation, handicrafts, or ICT — to support economic independence.
e. Stronger Urban Planning
- Integrate refugee needs into city planning — access to housing, sanitation, education, and transport.
Conclusion
The Bangladesh climate refugee crisis in 2025 is not just a local issue — it’s a global warning. As climate change accelerates, millions more could be displaced across the world. Bangladesh, with its vulnerability and resilience, shows both the urgent risks and the possible solutions.
It’s time for national governments, international bodies, and communities to act in solidarity. Investing in climate adaptation, resilient infrastructure, and legal protection for climate refugees is not just a moral imperative — it’s a necessity for sustainable human development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How many climate refugees are in Bangladesh in 2025?
Over 2 million people are currently displaced due to climate-related disasters, with millions more at risk.
2. What causes climate migration in Bangladesh?
Major causes include sea-level rise, flooding, cyclones, riverbank erosion, and salinity intrusion.
3. Are climate refugees recognized by international law?
No, current refugee conventions do not officially recognize climate-induced displacement, creating legal and humanitarian gaps.
4. What is the government doing to help climate refugees?
Initiatives include climate-resilient housing, the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, Delta Plan 2100, and social safety nets.