As Bangladesh gears up for an upcoming parliamentary election, the political discourse is escalating, with candidates reiterating development promises to attract voters. However, residents in the southwestern coastal region, particularly in Khulna’s Koyra-Paikgachha area, are more apprehensive than hopeful about the election. Many coastal dwellers feel disillusioned as electoral commitments have seldom translated into tangible improvements in their conditions, leaving them in a perpetual state of vulnerability.
The southern coastal belt remains highly susceptible to natural disasters, consistently highlighted in government and international reports. Cyclones like Sidr (2007), Aila (2009), Amphan (2020), and Yaas (2021) are not isolated incidents but part of an ongoing climate-induced crisis that has severely impacted livelihoods, infrastructure, and human security in the region. In Koyra and Paikgachha, entire villages have been submerged, embankments repeatedly breached, and families have suffered losses of homes, farmlands, and shrimp enclosures.
Cyclone Amphan alone caused significant damage, with over 51,000 houses destroyed in Koyra, 4,500 hectares of shrimp farms washed away, and more than 1.7 lakh people affected. Beyond the statistics lies a profound humanitarian crisis, with rising salinity reducing agricultural productivity, asset losses pushing households into debt, and disruptions in education and access to safe drinking water during floods exacerbating the plight of women and children.
The region faces governance challenges and inadequate flood management practices, with coastal protection measures being mainly reactive rather than proactive. Promised infrastructure projects are often delayed or poorly executed, leaving communities vulnerable to recurring disasters. Short-term relief efforts overshadow long-term resilience-building initiatives, perpetuating the cycle of risk and vulnerability for these communities.
In light of the July uprising’s call for equity and justice, the next Member of Parliament (MP) representing this coastal area must prioritize a people-centric coastal agenda over symbolic gestures. Concrete commitments, such as constructing climate-resilient embankments, implementing salinity-regulating measures, promoting diversified livelihood options, and enhancing healthcare and education services, are crucial for the sustainable development of coastal communities.
Engagement with local stakeholders, including women, farmers, and fishermen, in decision-making processes is essential for inclusive policymaking and sustainable development. The coastal population’s well-being and security should be at the forefront of policy initiatives, ensuring dignity, safety, and opportunities for those living in vulnerable coastal areas.
A visionary leader is needed to champion sustainable water management, ecotourism, healthcare, education, and participatory governance for coastal justice. The time has come to shift focus from crisis management to long-term solutions that prioritize the well-being of coastal communities and safeguard their future.
By Jashim Uddin, an independent researcher and writer specializing in climate change and coastal resilience.
