Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Over the past 18 months, we have endured 15 climate-related disasters, including two catastrophic floods this year that affected over 18 million people and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Climate change is personal to me. Members of my extended family were forced to climb onto the roof of their home, stranded there for days after devastating overnight flooding in August. Several members of my immediate family recently suffered from a debilitating case of dengue fever, a disease now rampant in Bangladesh due to increased rainfall and soaring temperatures.
Temperatures here regularly hit 41 degrees Celsius, a deadly burden, especially for the poor who cannot afford air conditioning or other means to escape the heat. It’s clear: Very few in Bangladesh remain untouched by climate change.
About the author
Ommey Nahida
Ommey Nahida is a senior policy specialist economic justice with Christian Aid based in Bangladesh, leading work on fiscal justice, and gender-equitable macroeconomic policies. She was formerly with Helen Keller International, spearheading qualitative research on gender equality and inclusion, gender-based violence, or GVB, maternal and child’s food security and nutrition. Her expertise extends to program management and advocacy, particularly in economic justice, labor rights, the rights of minority communities, and addressing GBV in the workplace, with a specific focus on the garment sector.
