ACCESS4ALL Group

The three locations in Bangladesh—Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Satkhira—demonstrate how climate change interacts with social and environmental factors to create high vulnerability. Dhaka, a densely populated urban center, is highly exposed to flooding, heatwaves, and waterborne diseases, with poor drainage, inadequate sanitation, and socio-economic inequalities worsening impacts for low-income communities. Cox’s Bazar faces cyclones, storm surges, and coastal erosion, and its vulnerability is amplified by low-lying geography, dense population, and the presence of Rohingya refugees. Satkhira, near the Sundarbans, is affected by salinity intrusion, tidal flooding, and cyclones, which directly threaten livelihoods dependent on agriculture and fisheries. Overall, these cases show that climate hazards are intensified by social and infrastructural challenges, highlighting the need for integrated climate adaptation strategies and community-focused interventions.

Climate hazards generally have impact on day-to-day life operations, and the level of vulnerability varies depending on infrastructure, political set up and social construction.

While government and civil society help , their is a lot that is subject to individual's income .

Through the vulnerability mapping exercise and community testimonials from Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Satkhira, I got to know how climatic hazards affect different communities in different ways. In Dhaka, informal settlements, unsafe living conditions, poor drainage, water and sanitation systems significantly increase exposure to floods, heatwaves and storms, especially for slum dwellers and women. In Cox’s Bazar, both local communities and Rohingya refugees are vulnerable to cyclones, storm surges, heatwaves, floods, and coastal erosion due to weak housing materials, poor healthcare system, unsafe conditions for women, and weak institutional capacity. In Satkhira, cyclones, tidal floods, salinity intrusion, river erosion, and water scarcity directly threaten livelihoods such as agriculture and fishing, while embankment failure further increases vulnerability.

One key insight from this module was that across all three regions, communities are actively trying to adapt through strategies, such as livelihood diversification and rainwater harvesting, among others. At the same time, they…

major effect of climate change that I observe in my community in Rwanda is the changing pattern of rainfall. Weather seasons are no longer consistent. Rains may begin later than expected, end too soon, or occur as intense downpours followed by long dry periods. This uncertainty makes it hard for people to organize farming activities and plan their daily routines.

The hardest hit are households that rely on small-scale agriculture for survival. Crops such as beans, maize, and potatoes are increasingly damaged by droughts or washed away by heavy rains, especially in mountainous regions where erosion is common. When yields are low, families experience food insecurity and rising market prices.

Limited access to water has become more noticeable during dry months. Some natural water sources shrink or disappear, forcing residents to travel farther to collect water. In urban centers like Kigali, pressure on water supplies can result in scheduled water…

The challenges being faced in Bangladesh as result of the climate impact is quite alarming but I sincerely feel, the Government of the day has also done very little to mitigate the challenges. There could be a huge turn around in the slums to create conducive and safer environmental conditions if the Government of the day put in committed efforts to salvage the situation. Economic livelihood can improve significantly in the slums with the help of local contribution as well.

It's disheartening to hear the level of climate impacts people haven't just faced but have to live with everyday of their lives. It's a very terrible condition to live in fear, hoping everyday that the flood doesn't sweep off your shelter, knowing fully well that you cant afford to build another one. Climate change has taken a lot from vulnerable communities who contribute little or nothing to the cause, but they are the ones who face the impacts the most. These stories have not only shared information on what people are facing, it has made me understand the extent of impacts we could face if we don't take actions towards tackling climate change.

The effect of climate action on the community has been very harsh, with people facing unhealthy levels of exposure to both salt intrusion and flooding. These hazards not only threaten lives and property but also undermine sustainable development in multiple ways. In fact, about seven or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are directly affected, including those related to health, clean water, poverty reduction, and education etc. The close proximity of people leaving in the area directly increases their exposure to airborne and water born diseases. Women are exposed to more health threatening condition as a result of the exposure. The situation clearly highlights how climate impacts ripple across different aspects of life, reinforcing the interconnectedness of the SDGs. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts that link environmental resilience with social and economic well‑being.

The effect of climate action on the community has been very harsh, with people facing unhealthy levels of exposure to both salt intrusion and flooding. These hazards not only threaten lives and property but also undermine sustainable development in multiple ways. In fact, about seven or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are directly affected, including those related to health, clean water, poverty reduction, and education etc. The close proximity of people leaving in the area directly increases their exposure to airborne and water born diseases. Women are exposed to more health threatening condition as a result of the exposure. The situation clearly highlights how climate impacts ripple across different aspects of life, reinforcing the interconnectedness of the SDGs. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts that link environmental resilience with social and economic well‑being.

These communities are also more vulnerable as most of the climate related hazards that these communities are exposed to are not in any way under their control and are rather the results of natural processes in the environment. However, the effects of these threats are highly compounded due to poverty, informal settlement growth and structural vulnerabilities, which create higher exposure and a lack of the ability to respond. These problems are also been complicated by social issues besides the environmental issues. The control of such threats like cyclones, flooding, intrusion of the salinity, and water shortage is already strenuous, but these pressures are compounded by poor hygiene, overcrowding, food insecurity, high health risks, and persistence problems associated with crime and abuse. The combination of these overlapping factors creates a vicious cycle of vulnerability.

These trends are eminent in Bangladesh in several regions. Flooding, waterlogging, heat waves, and diseases that are…

Last month, we tested a simple circular-economy idea: seed pens (paper pens that can be planted after use).

This wasn’t just a “craft activity” — it was a behaviour-design experiment: Can climate action become simple enough to fit into everyday life?

In 18 days: ✅ 20 teenagers learned the process and produced seed pens

✅ 120+ seed pens were made by youth

✅ 200+ households joined conversations on plastic waste and climate-friendly habits

These are the hazards of climate vulnerability that I identified from the virtual field trip.

The stories of Amirul, Abu Khair, and Ajaj Khan reveal that climate change is not just a distant threat, but a daily struggle for health, housing, and dignity. While playing the RPG Survive the Century, I chose to prioritize community-led adaptation and green infrastructure over short-term industrial profits because the testimonials proved that vulnerable families are most affected by the lack of basic drainage and clean water (Abu Khair Narrative, p.3). These decisions were driven by the urgent need to advance SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), highlighting that protecting coastal and urban communities requires integrated policies that provide both environmental safety and economic security (World Bank, 2024).

We worked with 5 women and reused 6kg textile waste to create products + climate impact.

Would love your feedback — feel free to drop a comment on the LinkedIn post 😊

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jobayer-bin-hossain_amranotunnetwork-bracyouthplatform-changemakers-activity-7416698024963383296-vr6F?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAECFxr4BkHTjOaMiziguDi6fvt2Xd5bMqac

From residential testimonials it has been reflected that the three districts faces related climate change effects. The three districts (Dhaka, Cox's Bazar, Satkhira) are vulnerable to flooding, cyclone storms and costal erosion.

The most affected individuals are the low income. And this maybe due to lack of informative service but also higher populations in those areas. Higher a population is one of the key that puts the area at threat of being hit by climate changes effect.

Building some infrastructures such water barriers, Communication infrastructures and others would altleast offer to reduction of these kind of issues

These communities are highly vulnerable, as many of the climate hazards they face arise through no fault of their own but are the result of natural processes. However, the impacts of these hazards are significantly compounded by the slum conditions and underlying structural vulnerabilities that characterize these areas, thereby intensifying overall risk. Beyond the environmental dimension, social factors further exacerbate the challenges of living in such communities. Coping with cyclones, flooding, salinity intrusion, and water scarcity is already demanding; these stresses are magnified when combined with inadequate sanitation, overcrowded living spaces, food insecurity, heightened health risks, and pervasive issues of crime and abuse. Collectively, these intersecting pressures create a cycle of vulnerability that is difficult to escape.

In Bangladesh, Dhaka faces flooding, waterlogging, heatwaves, and disease, mostly affecting low-income communities in crowded areas. Cox’s Bazar is exposed to cyclones, storm surges, coastal erosion, and water scarcity, especially impacting fishing and refugee communities. Satkhira experiences high salinity, cyclones, tidal flooding, and water shortages, affecting farmers and fishers. Poverty, overcrowding, and dependence on natural resources make these communities highly vulnerable, and climate change is making these hazards more frequent and severe.

Listening to the testimonials from the actual community reveals the extent of the problems in a way lectures could not.

In the text-based RPG "Coastal Futures," I prioritized investing in mangrove restoration and early warning systems over short-term economic gains, such as expanding tourism infrastructure. These choices were influenced by the module’s emphasis on long-term resilience and community-led adaptation.

The gameplay mirrored real-world trade-offs discussed in the module: the tension between immediate revenue and sustainable protection, and the need to engage local stakeholders for effective implementation. Choosing ecological solutions highlighted how natural buffers like mangroves reduce vulnerability—directly relating to the challenges of funding, prioritization, and holistic planning faced by coastal communities confronting climate hazards. The game reinforced that resilience requires foresight and inclusive decision-making, even when quicker alternatives seem appealing.

I am sharing my virtual vulnerability mapping exercise developed from community testimonial videos in Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Satkhira, with a PDF of the identified vulnerabilities attached. The videos highlighted how climate risks intersect with social and economic conditions across regions. In Dhaka, urban flooding, heat stress, and unsafe water disproportionately affect low-income communities living in informal settlements. In Cox’s Bazar, cyclones and storm surges are compounded by high population density and refugee settlements, intensifying water scarcity, livelihood insecurity, and health risks. In Satkhira, salinity intrusion and tidal flooding have long-term impacts on agriculture, fisheries, and access to safe drinking water.

A key learning from the testimonials is that climate vulnerability is not only driven by environmental hazards but is shaped by poverty, weak infrastructure, and limited institutional capacity. Climate shocks often act as stress multipliers, deepening existing inequalities, particularly for women and marginalised groups.

I would like to share our presentation which is developed as part of the original research titled Climate-Resilient Coastal Housing: An Adaptive Architectural Framework for Flood-Responsive Design, authored by Khuloud Ali, Ph.D. (ORCID: 0009-0001-7978-4172), Ghayth Tintawi (ORCID: 0009-0009-9891-9528). Which is highly related to this section of the course. Climate-Resilient Coastal Housing: An Adaptive Architectural Framework for Flood-Responsive Design

My vulnerability mapping is about people, not just hazards. In Dhaka, cramped neighborhoods bake under heat and drown in sudden floods because streets, drains and services were never planned for everyone.

In Cox’s Bazar, cyclones and landslides threaten refugee camps, fishers and tourism workers whose incomes vanish with each storm. In Satkhira, salinity and river erosion steal fields and mangroves, forcing farmers and coastal communities to choose between leaving or losing their way of life. Institutional gaps, deforestation and unplanned growth deepen these wounds. That human story of lost livelihoods, fragile homes and limited options explains why the vulnerability ratings are overwhelmingly high.

This blog examines the devastating May 2024 floods in Burka District, Baghlan Province, highlighting how climate change is intensifying flood risks in Afghanistan. Based on field observations, official reports, and community testimonies, it documents human losses, damage to livelihoods and infrastructure, and the disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. The blog emphasizes the urgent need for community-based climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable interventions to build resilience and reduce future climate-related losses in Afghanistan

Ahmad Faiz

Akam Climate

Afghanistan

Reflection on Identified Vulnerabilities from the Virtual Field Trip

The virtual field trip provided valuable insights into the diverse manifestations of climate vulnerability across different regions. Coastal communities, are highly vulnerable due to recurrent flooding, coastal erosion and rising sea levels. These hazards pose significant threats to housing, fishing-based livelihoods and access to clean water. Urban informal settlements also demonstrated considerable vulnerability, largely attributable to inadequate drainage systems, overcrowding and heightened exposure to heat stress—conditions that are exacerbated by climate change.

A key learning outcome from this exercise was the recognition that vulnerability is not solely determined by climate hazards. Instead, it is strongly influenced by non-environmental factors enhanced by human socio-economic activities substantially reduce the adaptive capacity of communities and hinder their ability to recover from climate-related shocks.

Key Insights from the Community Testimonial Videos

The community testimonial videos offered a compelling human dimension to the issue of…

Residents' testimonials from vulnerable communities (Dhaka, Cox's Bazar, and Satkhira districts) reveal that socioeconomic factors (low income and profit margin, ban on fish farming, gender inequality), lack of access to land, and poor infrastructure planning increase their exposure to climate-related hazards. Living in slums and areas prone to flooding, river erosion, storms, and cyclones with non-climate-resilient housing, they have low quality of life, poverty, and limited access to basic services like water and sanitation. These factors affect their health and wellbeing, exacerbating their vulnerability to climate change impacts, such as housing and property damage, reduced productivity during extreme heat, and limited greening and farming options due to salt intrusion. More insights about climate change adaptation and resilience in the three districts are summarised in the table below.

This module offered a thorough understanding of vulnerability and resilience within communities, focusing on environmental, social, and health-related risks. Through both theoretical discussions and hands-on activities, it highlighted how vulnerabilities arise from a complex interplay of socioeconomic factors, environmental challenges, governance systems, and resource access. This insight emphasized the need to view vulnerability as a dynamic process shaped by structural and contextual elements rather than a static condition.

Engaging with community perspectives enriched my understanding of how local knowledge and personal experiences contribute to effective interventions. The discussion of community scenarios revealed the influence of cultural norms, economic constraints, and historical marginalization on risk perception and coping strategies. These observations underscored that sustainable solutions should be community-driven, culturally aware, and inclusive of local voices, rather than enforced from the top down.

The Role Playing Game (RPG) experience was particularly significant in bridging theoretical concepts with practical application. By taking on…

After completing the virtual field trip and reviewing the regions explored, I compiled a vulnerability list (uploaded as a PDF) highlighting key climate-related challenges. These include coastal flooding, erosion, water scarcity, and agricultural disruptions, all of which disproportionately affect low-income households, women, and smallholder farmers. I noticed that communities with limited infrastructure or access to early warning systems face the highest risk, emphasizing the intersection of social and environmental vulnerabilities.

The community testimonial videos provided powerful insights. One key learning was how local knowledge and traditional practices are central to resilience. For example, community members described planting flood-resistant crops and constructing raised homes to cope with extreme weather. Hearing these experiences underscored that adaptation is not just about technical solutions but also about social cohesion, local leadership, and community-driven action.

During the text-based RPG game, [insert game name], I made choices prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term gains. For instance, I…

The experiences of community members from Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Satkhira underscore that climate vulnerability is not only environmental but deeply social and governance-related. The integration of community voices with interactive learning tools reinforced the importance of anticipatory planning, locally informed solutions, and sustained investment in resilience. Together, these insights align strongly with the broader sustainable development and climate adaptation th

emes explored in this module.

 Reflection on Identified Vulnerabilities from the Virtual Field TripFrom the virtual field trip, I identified several regions facing varying degrees of climate vulnerability. Coastal communities, particularly in the Niger Delta, were highly vulnerable due to flooding, coastal erosion, and sea level rise, which threaten housing, fishing livelihoods, and access to clean water. Urban informal settlements also showed high vulnerability because of poor drainage systems, overcrowding, and heat stress, all of which are worsened by climate change. Rural farming communities and Sahelian regions were especially affected by drought, desertification, and unpredictable rainfall, leading to food insecurity and economic instability.A key learning for me was that vulnerability is not caused by climate hazards alone, but is strongly influenced by non-environmental factors such as poverty, weak infrastructure, low institutional support, and limited access to technology. These factors significantly reduce the capacity of communities to adapt and recover.

Key Insights from the Community Testimonial…

Malawi commonly experiences floods, droughts, and landslides. Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of these events, particularly affecting rural communities. Areas facing significant impacts include:

- Southern Malawi (districts like Nsanje, Chikwawa, and Phiri): Severe flooding along the Shire River and tributaries

- Central and Northern regions: Droughts affecting agriculture and food security

- Mountainous areas (e.g., Mulanje, Zomba): Landslides and soil erosion during intense rains

Most affected communities:

- Rural farming communities: Crop failure and loss of livestock due to droughts and floods

The climate hazards faced by various communities in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh's coastal regions like Cox's Bazar and Satkhira, alongside Dhaka, grapple with intensifying flooding, erosion, and storms fueled by climate change. Cyclones ravage low-lying deltas, eroding 3-10 meters of Cox's Bazar beaches yearly and displacing thousands, while salinity intrusion devastates agriculture. Satkhira endures chronic waterlogging from surges, and Dhaka faces fluvial floods from river overflows. Mitigation includes embankments, mangrove restoration, and early warnings, yet maintenance lags heighten risks for dense populations. Urgent adaptive measures are vital to curb escalating humanitarian crises.

In this discussion, I am sharing and reflecting on my learnings from this module. I have uploaded a PDF version of my identified climate vulnerability list based on the virtual field trip regions, namely Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Satkhira in Bangladesh. The vulnerability list highlights key climate hazards such as flooding, cyclones, storm surges, salinity intrusion, and heat stress, and shows how these hazards affect different communities, infrastructure, and natural systems with high levels of vulnerability.

One key insight gained from the community testimonial videos is the deeply human dimension of climate change. In Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Satkhira, climate hazards are not only environmental problems but are closely linked to poverty, health risks, gender inequality, displacement, and livelihood insecurity. Vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, refugees, and low-income households experience the most severe impacts due to limited resources, weak infrastructure, and restricted access to services. These stories helped…

I have uploaded my PDF containing the vulnerability assessment for Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Satkhira, along with my reflections from the testimonial videos and text-based game. The process helped me clearly see how climate hazards intersect with gender, poverty, and displacement. The community voices particularly highlighted the unequal burden on women and low-income households. The RPG simulation reinforced the complexity of real-world climate decisions and the need for inclusive, long-term resilience planning.

As part of this module, I explored climate vulnerability in selected regions of Bangladesh through virtual field trip videos, community testimonials, and a text-based role-playing game. This learning experience deepened my understanding of how climate change interacts with social, economic, health, education and institutional factors to shape vulnerability, especially among already marginalised communities.

From the virtual field tri

I identified key vulnerabilities in Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Satkhira.

In Dhaka, intense monsoon rainfall leads to frequent flooding and prolonged waterlogging, overwhelming drainage systems and disrupting transport, housing, and livelihoods. Heat stress, unsafe drinking water, and sanitation challenges further increase health risks, particularly for low-income and informal settlement communities. Rapid urbanisation, high population density, and weak urban planning significantly increase vulnerability.

Cox’s Bazar faces severe coastal hazards, including cyclones, storm surges, and coastal erosion. These risks are intensified by the presence of large Rohingya refugee camps, where overcrowding, water scarcity, poor sanitation,…

The issues of climate changes is worsen in this community and the issues is affecting there livelihood rapidly in Dhaka heatwave , water scarcity and heath risk is the most dominant issue affecting the community the community is suffering from hardship of income lack of infrastructure that even lead them to lack of bath room in the community that increases the health risk of the community and the government is not working well to over come the issues.

When we talk about the fox's Bazar community the area to is suffering from improper waste management , flooding , lack of drainage system, extreme heat that leads to tension and unstable environment for the living of the people that put the community into health risks and the most impacted thing in that community is lack of educational system and if this is not taken care quickly the climate…

Flooding ranks highest in vulnerability for Dhaka due to its extreme population density (over 22 million), low-lying topography, and inadequate drainage overwhelmed by monsoon rains and upstream river surges

The issues of flooding, high temperatures and storms associated with climate change highly impacts peoples livelihoods. The governmants seem to lack political will to address the standards of living for their people. The health and social well being of masses is highly compromised. The majority live below poverty datum line.

Uploaded mapping activity shows that all the communities are highly affected despite them being different locations. Risk posed due to climatic hazards such as flooding, heatwaves, cyclones, sea-level rise, and salinity intrusion are a threat to the functioning of each community. The key insight from the activity is that vulnerability is not caused by climate hazards alone. Vulnerability exposes communities of a layer of problems with ripple effects.