Background: The Bangladesh Climate Change strategy and Action Plan (BCCASP 2009), the National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA 2005, revised in 2009), the PRSP and other documents recommend taking steps to redress the increasingly great question of climate change and its nefarious consequences. Parittran born climate and disaster-prone area in south-west coastal of Bangladesh with the promise of environmental sustainability as well as may these dalit people get their fair dues during calamities. The largest number of people and communities are living in noticeable vulnerable situation due to quick change of climates among them the most remarkable the sufferer is the Dalit, Indigenous, Minority and Excluded people. Frequent and several forms of disasters destroy the sanitation structures.
Besides, this area has faced numerous natural disasters in every decade due to climate change and the intensity of disasters is increasing and the communities have also less attention on this issue due to engage in fulfilling more fundamental needs. There are several areas and sectors vulnerable to climate change in this area mainly raising sea level high and salinity intrusion, flood, cyclone storm surge, drainage congestion and also water logging but scarcity of safe drinking water, is one of the vital issues of these coastal area communities. In the context of Bangladesh, it has been seen that Dalits, Indigenous, minorities and marginalized people are more neglected and oppressed in this situation. Even during the disaster, the higher caste and mainstreaming people are treated inhumanely, hated and belittled towards Dalits, Indigenous, minorities and marginalized people. They even accept discrimination through different behaviors where there is equal opportunity for all.
Goal: To strengthen and restore livelihood opportunities of disaster affected people and community-based initiatives for disaster reduction and management while improving people’s resilience and adaptive capacities.
Outcomes:
1.Enhanced disaster risk reduction through community-based approach.
2.Enhanced adaptive capacity to build a resilient society.
Outputs:
1.Communities increased their knowledge on disaster risk reduction.
2.Communities increased their knowledge on adaptive options to build a resilient society.
Experience: From its very beginning, Parittran has been implementing many projects related to climate change and adaptation, disaster risk reduction through applying various awareness, livelihood, adaptation and coping mechanisms. In the southwest of Bangladesh, Parittran has implemented the projects and program to uplift Dalit and non-dalit people alike:
Achievements:
Parittran’ advocacy and lobby has secured climate budget for the adversely affected community;
Parittran signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with government agencies to ensure a just distribution of financial resources for climate affected areas and people;
Parittran has formed 475 volunteers who are now playing a positive role as change agents;
Parittran’s advocacy and lobby has increased budget allocation to LGI for local projects on climate change and adaptation;
Parittran has helped to increase the knowledge of communities on disaster risk reduction and management;
Parittran has helped introduce adaptive agricultural options for affected communities;
Parittran has established a child friendly space where1600children have been made knowledgeable on disaster risk reduction, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), protection, early marriage and so on.