A gathering storm: climate change clouds the future of children in Bangladesh

This report outlines how the effects of climate change are pushing families in many of Bangladesh's poorest communities over the edge, leaving them unable to keep their children properly housed, fed, healthy and educated. The report is based on dozens of interviews with children, parents, community leaders and offi cials in Bangladesh. 

While Bangladeshis have developed admirable powers of resilience, more resources and innovative programmes are urgently needed to avert the danger that climate change represents to the country’s youngest citizens. Climate change is a key factor pushing poorer Bangladeshis to abandon their homes and communities and to try and rebuild lives elsewhere. Many head to Dhaka and other major cities, where children risk being pushed into dangerous forms of labour and into early marriages. It cites research showing that Bangladesh has 6 million climate migrants already, a number that could more than double by 2050.