The Risk Factors of the Children of Climate-Induced Migrants of Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of climate change and climate-induced migration across the globe. While the causes of migration and the well-being of the climate migrants have been extensively studied, the literature on the impact on children is thin. In this study, I examined the well-being of twenty children of ten families who migrated to Dhaka city from the disaster-prone southern part of the country, with data collected by a structured questionnaire and some open-ended questions. The empirical analysis shows that migrant families were affected by natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, and extreme heat in the last five years so extensively that these pushed them to migrate to Dhaka city. Food security, health services, and employment opportunities were at stake before migration. Weighing in their costs and benefits, the migrant families found urban slums a better option than living at the mercy of nature in villages. Children are one of the worst victims of natural disasters. They are dependent both on nature and on the support of their parents for survival. My results show that child labor increased after migration compared to before-migration situations. Children’s health also deteriorated along with their playing opportunities. In short, though the adult are better off, the children are not after migrating to slums in cities. It takes big tolls on children’s wellbeing, both current and future. I tried to analyze my findings with the, human security perspective, relational approach to risk and relate them to outcome vulnerability and contextual vulnerability. This study has significant policy implications for the betterment of the physical and mental health of the slum children who are mostly the victims of climate change induced migration. Further research is required to fully comprehend the impact of climate change induced migration on well-being of the slum children.