Bangladesh is especially vulnerable to the consequences of climate change in the form of longer and more frequent flooding, more intense cyclones, longer periods of drought and rising ocean levels. Between 1990 and 2008, Bangladesh was among the three countries in the world that were most affected by extreme weather.
The number of areas in Bangladesh that are regularly exposed to flooding are only increasing. More and more people are expected to eventually have to leave their homes because areas along the coast will become uninhabitable or because the land will no longer be arable.
Bangladesh has experienced economic growth in recent years and has made positive progress in education and health. However, over 40% of the population still lives under the poverty line. Bangladesh has a fragile democracy, and disadvantaged groups have limited political influence. Although women's rights are well-protected in law, practical enforcement of the law is often weak. In rural areas, a woman's mobility remains dependent on her husband's consent.
Our work
Climate change adaptation: Through various adaptation measures, Norwegian Church Aid contributes to ensure that vulnerable groups and communities continue to have livelihoods and have the ability to cope with climate change. These measures include experimentation with seed that is more resistant to floods and droughts, the establishment of local emergency response groups that issue alerts and give help when floods or cyclones hit and reinforcing the foundations of houses so that they are not destroyed during flooding.
Water, sanitation and hygiene: We contribute by ensuring access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation. This effort is closely linked to our climate change adaptation work.
Climate change mitigation: Norwegian Church Aid also helps communities gain access to and experience with the use of renewable energy, including solar energy and bioenergy, along with international advocacy efforts.
Gender justice: Norwegian Church Aid works to ensure that women are given the opportunity to influence their own lives and be involved in taking decisions that affect their lives and that of their families. Training in women's rights, organising women, encouraging women to participate in the selection and training of women in leadership positions are among the measures Norwegian Church Aid supports. We also support programmes that integrate several types of measures in the same programme, including organisational development, income-generating measures and various forms of training.
Coordination through the ACT Alliance
In Bangladesh, organisations that are related to Norwegian Church Aid's international network, the ACT Alliance, have established an ACT forum. Norwegian Church Aid is a particular driving force in strengthening this forum's role within humanitarian and emergency work.