For many children and women, such as Mrs. Jasmine Musulman, there’s a new chance available that is very different from their previous lives of climate strife on the riverbanks of the Padma River in rural Bangladesh. After being displaced from weather changes and having to relocate with no financial safety net, her income increased considerably because of her efforts in selling vegetables in a nearby market. This has not only changed her level of income, but has allowed her to feed her children. She now looks forward to their future: her eight-year-old son is finally back in school. 

Bangladesh is ranked as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world with regard to climate change. Every year, the country faces a number of disasters such as cyclones, storm surges, coastal erosion, floods and droughts, causing loss of lives, property and land. The country’s rain-fed agriculture depends on seasonal rainfall, however, many parts of the country are already suffering from repeated and sudden droughts. It is expected that, with rising temperatures, the situation will get worse before it gets better.

Because of the unpredictability of the weather, many people find themselves displaced by floods or droughts. Climate shocks make it harder for displaced communities to adapt and attain financial stability. For poor communities, clean water supply and fertile land are very valuable assets.

In the north region of Rajshahi, the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) programme of the UN Capital Development Fund initiated pilot activities as part of its first phase of intervention in the country. In the Godagari Upazila, a small community, was recently relocated due to recurring floods in the Padma riverbank, where they used to live.

After the seasonal floods ravaged their homes and crops, the Senior Policeman and Community Leader in the area, Mr. Mohammed Azhar Ali contacted the local authorities in despair. This was a timely action: LoCAL had just started its first phase in the Godagari Upazila. The local government provided the small community of 35 households with 'Kash' land (government-leased land) around an existing pond. But the pond was silted and had almost dried up over the years. It required re-excavation and LoCAL co-funded this process, which is now bringing new hope to the villagers.

Mr. Fakri Karim, Programme Manager of LoCAL, explains: “In its first phase in Bangladesh, LoCAL supported a range of activities to uniquely address the needs of climate-displaced communities in the ‘last mile’ of the country. They face varied economic shocks and this adds to our challenge in helping them adapt. The experience demonstrates that the LoCAL mechanism is a good tool to support local governments to better manage and help victims of climate change. We take heed of these lessons learned as we start LoCAL’s second phase in the country.”

The pond’s re-excavation ushered in multiple benefits to the rural community. Mr. Ali explains that they started duck rearing in the area. But, he beams with a smile when he talks about the new fish farming activity. The first batch of fingerlings were released in the pond. Three species of fish were introduced, some of which will grow to be 1 kg heavy in just six months, explained the community leader. 

The re-excavation of the pond also had a domino effect. The soil conditions are improving in surrounding fields. Ultimately, this brings better agricultural productivity. The villagers now want to increase multi-crop farming activities to generate more income and look forward to a more nutritionally sound and prosperous future. 

The LoCAL programme of UNCDF provides a mechanism to increase awareness and response to climate change at the local level, integrate climate change adaptation into local governments’ planning and budgeting systems, and increase the amount of finance available to local governments for climate change adaptation. LoCAL combines performance-based climate resilience grants (PBCRGs), with technical and capacity building support. It uses the demonstration effect to trigger further flows for local adaptation, including global climate finance for local authorities, through their central governments. LoCAL is supported by the European Union Global Climate Change Alliance and the governments of Belgium, Liechtenstein and Sweden.