Responding to climate change

On the heels of last month’s Earth Day, we want to share work that the Karuna family is doing in Bangladesh as part of our efforts to address the impact of climate change on poor and marginalized people.

Bangladesh is among the top 5 countries with the highest disaster risk, with 140 million people at significant risk to natural hazards. ‘Charlands’ or ‘chars’ are sandbars within river channels or attached to the riverbanks. Poorer communities in these areas will often make their homes on them.  

With our support, displaced and vulnerable char communities are receiving help in the event of flooding or char destruction. They are accessing sustainable livelihood training, and learn to prepare better for disasters.

Through training and awareness-raising activities around proper hygiene, sanitation, and water treatment, families are preventing the spread of disease. Our partners on the ground are also working closely with communities to increase access to safe water in the face of discrimination and disaster. They protect women and girls through peer support and surveillance groups. This combats trafficking, an often overlooked consequence of natural disasters and displacement. 

You can read more about the work here, including the story of Aynamoti - a mother trying to eke out a living in these precarious circumstances.