Bangladesh is experiencing rapid urbanization driven by rural-to-urban migration, climate-induced displacement, and population growth. Cities such as Dhaka and coastal urban areas including Satkhira and Khulna are facing increasing pressure to accommodate low-income populations living in informal settlements with inadequate housing, poor sanitation, insecure tenure, and limited access to basic services.
In Dhaka, more than one-third of the population lives in informal settlements characterized by overcrowding, substandard housing, inadequate WASH facilities, and high exposure to fire and waterlogging. In Satkhira, Khulna and surrounding coastal areas, urban poor communities are highly vulnerable to tidal flooding, cyclones, salinity intrusion, and prolonged waterlogging. Many residents are climate migrants displaced by recurrent disasters and loss of livelihoods in rural areas.
A study conducted by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Bangladesh under the “Urban Management of Internal Migration due to Climate Change (UMIMCC)” project found that 57% of informal settlement dwellers in five Bangladeshi cities were climate migrants, while 55% had lived in slums for more than 20 years. The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified socio-economic and health vulnerabilities among these communities, especially women, children, persons with disabilities, and migrant households.
In response, Habitat for Humanity International- Bangladesh (HFHI-B) has been implementing an integrated urban program focused on climate-resilient housing improvements, WASH services, disaster risk reduction, community participation, and inclusive urban governance in informal settlements in Dhaka and Satkhira and adjacent areas. The program aligns with national priorities outlined in the National Housing Policy (2016), Urban Sector Policy (2014), the 8th Five-Year Plan, and the National Urban Policy (2025), which emphasize climate resilience, inclusive urban development, and improved living conditions for low-income urban populations.
The program design has been informed through community consultations, focus group discussions, and engagement with local authorities and marginalized groups including women, youth, persons with disabilities, tenants, and migrant families. While the program has contributed to improving living conditions and resilience, there remains a need to assess its overall impact, identify gaps and emerging opportunities, and strengthen future urban programming approaches.
Therefore, HFHI-B intends to conduct an impact study of the current urban program to evaluate its effectiveness, relevance, sustainability, and lessons learned. The study will also identify strategic gaps and opportunities and support the development of an expanded urban programming framework for inclusive and climate-resilient urban development in Bangladesh. |
