1. Context

Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, facing recurrent floods, cyclones, riverbank erosion, and other climate-related disasters. These events often cause internal displacement and, in some cases, cross-border migration. Universities, as research and policy hubs, play a critical role in supporting government disaster planning, providing technical expertise, and training students and professionals.

 

2. DU’s Role in 2024

A. Research & Advisory Contributions

1. Center for Climate Change Studies and Resource Utilization (CCCSRU)
   • Conducted research on flood-prone and coastal areas to understand displacement risks.
   • Produced policy briefs shared with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR).
   • Advised local government on early-warning systems and disaster-resilient infrastructure.
2. Department of Geography & Environment & DSCR

• Provided data analysis on population vulnerability and climate-induced migration trends.
• Assisted government agencies in modeling potential displacement scenarios for Dhaka and coastal districts.

 

B. Government & Multilateral Collaboration

1. Workshops & Joint Planning Sessions
   • DU hosted or participated in multi-stakeholder workshops with Dhaka city corporations, MoDMR, UNDP, and IOM to discuss urban climate resilience, displacement risk, and disaster response strategies.
   • Example: May 2024, DU hosted sessions linked to Dhaka City Climate Action Plan Launch, where risk mitigation, urban flooding, and displacement preparedness were key topics. (du.ac.bd

1. Policy Advisory & Technical Support
   • DU researchers submitted technical reports to government on climate-induced migration scenarios and population relocation frameworks.
   • Assisted in mapping temporary shelter locations for displaced populations and recommended integration of climate data into urban planning.

 

C. Training & Capacity Building

1. Certificate Course on Climate Change & Public Health (CCPH, June–August 2024)
   • Included modules on disaster-related population displacement, health risks for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and adaptation measures.
   • Targeted government officers, NGO staff, and researchers. (cchpu-mohfw.gov.bd

  Student and Faculty Workshops

• Environment Innovation Summit (December 2024) included sessions on disaster resilience, climate risk reduction, and adaptation planning, engaging students, civil society, and local stakeholders. (linkedin.com

 

3. Gaps / Opportunities

• DU has advisory and training roles, but there is no formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) specifying shared responsibilities for population displacement planning with government published publicly in 2024.
• The university’s work remains mostly research-based and workshop-focused, rather than a legally recognized operational partner in national displacement management frameworks.
• Opportunity: Develop a formal DU–government cooperative plan integrating early-warning systems, temporary shelters, and population relocation logistics for climate-induced disasters.

 

4. Conclusion

In 2024, the University of Dhaka actively contributed to cooperative climate-disaster planning through:

1. Research & data analysis on climate-induced displacement.
2. Advisory support to government and local authorities (MoDMR, Dhaka city corporations).
3. Training and capacity-building programmes targeting professionals and students.
4. Multi-stakeholder workshops that brought together local government, civil society, and international partners.

While DU has not yet formalized a binding cooperative plan for displacement management, its activities in 2024 laid an essential foundation for evidence-based planning, early-warning integration, and community engagement in the context of climate-related disasters.