Background

Bangladesh is frequently cited as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries and simultaneously portrayed as the most resilient nation in the world. Because of its geographical location, major rivers and low-lying deltaic terrain, Bangladesh is highly exposed to the impacts of both slow and rapid-onset climate-driven disasters, including sea-level rise, saline intrusion, cyclones, storm surges, floods, extreme heat and droughts. Its vulnerability is increased by local dependency on agriculture and fisheries based livelihoods - agriculture in Bangladesh still employs over 43% of the country’s workforce and 60% of all employed women - and low adaptive capacity within the government and communities. Small islands and Charlands (riverine island) communities face a particularly high level of exposure to natural disasters due to higher levels of poverty, remoteness and limited access to the mainland, limited access to basic services such as water, sanitation and health, limited transportation services, and reliance on agriculture for livelihoods, migration and climate-induced displacement, inadequate social safety net, etc. The impacts disproportionately affect the poor and are especially severe for women and children. In response to the challenges, the project will enhance the resilience of small island communities, improve climate-induced disaster preparedness and response and build the capacity of local government and communities in climate-resilient development.