An Assessment of Population Displacement and Resilience Livelihood Options Among River Erosion-affected People in Bangladesh
Disaster, Displacement and Resilient Livelihoods: Perspectives from South Asia
ISBN: 978-1-80455-449-4, eISBN: 978-1-80455-448-7
Publication date: 12 June 2023
Abstract
Drawing findings from the river erosion-prone district Bhola in Bangladesh, this study presents the nature and causes of human displacement and the types of resilience livelihood options for reducing risks caused by river erosion. The study used a quantitative research approach, in which a survey was employed. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 371 heads of households from three unions of three Upazilas (sub-divisions) in the Bhola District. Results showed that 95% of the households were displaced by river erosion, 54% of them were displaced two to four times in the last five years, 30% of the households were displaced to embankments, and 22% were displaced to their relatives’ houses. Nearly 70% of the households reported river erosion as a main cause and 42% referred other disasters. Regarding livelihood options, 47% of the households desired to engage in fishing labour, 44% in day labour, and 33% in independent fishing. During river erosion, 93% of the household members had to engage in income-generating activities, and one-half of them had to change their livelihood options. Finding new livelihood options and resilience strategies to reduce displacement would be an important guideline for disaster managers, policy-makers, and development practitioners.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the funding authority – Islamic Relief Bangladesh. The authors also acknowledge all of the participants and the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) and Chairmen of the Union Parishads in all three study locations.
Authors’ Contribution
M. Rezaul Islam contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by M. Rezaul Islam. The first draft of the chapter was prepared by M. Rezaul Islam, and Walter Leal Filho revised the manuscript. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Funding
Funding received for this work was provided by the Islamic Relief Bangladesh.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare they have no conflict of interest.
Research Involving Human Participants and/or Animals
All data were collected in compliance with ethical standards.
Informed Consent
All interviews conducted with informed consent.
Citation
Islam, M.R. and Filho, W.L. (2023), "An Assessment of Population Displacement and Resilience Livelihood Options Among River Erosion-affected People in Bangladesh", Islam, M.R. (Ed.) Disaster, Displacement and Resilient Livelihoods: Perspectives from South Asia (Diverse Perspectives on Creating a Fairer Society), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 99-119. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80455-448-720231006
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023 M. Rezaul Islam and Walter Leal Filho