INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Hamida Khatun is sick of moving
But in 2019, the floods were the worst
She saved herself from drowning by grabbing hold of a fallen banana tree that was floating past, and used it as a raft to get to safety.Born
in Tangail, central Bangladesh, Khatun moved from one makeshift home to another along the coastal belt before reaching Chilmari, a
Photograph: Farzana Hossen/The GuardianOnce a vibrant port, Chilmari is now prone to catastrophic flooding
Every year thousands of hectares of land quietly crumble into the rivers that wind through it
Rushing waters constantly shift the landscape, breaking up the silty ground and turning it into a sea with thousands of tiny islands, known
as chars.Water can rise fast, by almost 12ft (3.6 metres), submerging houses on the river islands, and sinking vulnerable communities deeper
Erosion has long been a part of life here, devouring land and livelihoods
Water levels of all the major rivers in the country have been rising and last year, heavy monsoon rains led to the worst floods in
Bangladesh in two decades.In 2020, the charity Friendship carried out a study in Chilmari and found that 85% of displacement was down to
riverbank erosion, 56% due to flooding and 3% due to storms
Since then, the displacement rate in the region further increased owing to the intensification and frequency of natural disasters.Recent
estimates suggest that by 2050, one in every seven people in Bangladesh will be displaced by climate change, and up to 18 million people may
have to move because of sea level rises.Each plinth can permanently accommodate 20-25 families
housing as well as to accommodate displaced families and their possessions during floods
Earth is dredged from rivers to create a large, oval-shaped plateau that is typically 8-10ft high, and strategically placed so that it can
withstand the oncoming rush of water during monsoons
Each plinth can permanently accommodate 20-25 families and provide temporary shelter to up to 120 more in an emergency.In the middle of the
field will be a freshwater pond, which will provide a source of drinking water and a place to fishEarly one morning, in a field in the
village of Mudafat on Austamir char, a community consultation is taking place
The land has recently been acquired by Friendship and the construction of a new plinth will soon begin
initially based on a square but later changed to an oval shape that faces north
projects are not only carried out in consultation with the community but built by them, too
Villagers are employed throughout the construction period, enabling them to contribute towards the build and earn an income.Friendship has
built 20 plinths since 2011
their home in the village of Mudafat, Chilmari
Photograph: Farzana Hossen/The GuardianThe list of those who will move to the new plinth is based on need
One of them is Khatun, who is looking forward to having a permanent home for the first time
33, who was evicted from her last home for rent arrears
Traditionally, the primary source of income for char dwellers has been agriculture, with nuts, corn, wheat, potato and various vegetables
grown in the surrounding fields
But since extreme weather destroys the land and crops, many inhabitants now rely on government assistance.Rahima joins her husband in the
field when she can, though most of her day is spent taking care of their children, both of whom are disabled
world view with a roundup of the best news, features and pictures, curated by our global development teamPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may
contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties
For more information see our Privacy Policy
We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotionDuring
She raced back to her small hut to find her children cowering neck deep in water
One currently has a waterborne skin infection
work is limited.Friendship has built 20 plinths since 2011
even more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change
project officer at UN Women Bangladesh
including making space for a school
Begum, 26, who moved to a plinth in Goynar Potol village, south of Chilmari in 2018.Shoneka Begum with her children
They moved to a plinth in Goynar Potol in 2018
Photograph: Farzana Hossen/The GuardianShe is determined her three children should get a good education
practice in the community, but microfinance company loans come with interest, often pushing people further into debt.Begum lives in one of
the bigger buildings on the plinth
Her home acts as a temporary shelter during emergencies
In 2020, extreme flooding in the village meant she had to take in approximately 50 people
land means she fears her children might hurt themselves
barricaded to prevent children falling in and stoves are built away from the reach of young arms.On the other side of the plinth lives
At 80, Mollah finally feels a sense of stability
Photograph: Farzana Hossen/The GuardianMollah and his wife, Shurjo, have been displaced three times; each of three homes washed away during
I could see dead animals floating around us
This article first appeared/also appeared in theguardian.com
