CLIMATE REFUGEE OF BANGLADESH

WATER TRAGEDY

Riverbank erosion in its most violent form has led to the heartbreaking misery of people in the Munshiganj area. Hundreds of houses shifted as river erosion took away land rapidly.
Series: Water Tragedy: Climate Refugee of Bangladesh
Digital Archival Print
28 x 44 cm
2007
Hashail, Munshiganj, Bangladesh

Minutes ago a boat had capsized in the middle of the tumultuous River Padma. Local residents are immersed in a discussion over the viciousness of the river, possibly induced by climate variability, at the river bank.
Series: Water Tragedy: Climate Refugee of Bangladesh
Digital Archival Print
28 x 44 cm
2007
Hashail, Munshiganj, Bangladesh

This woman’s house has been devoured by the river. Now she is migrating to a new land with her cow, before the storms hit again. Climate refugee polls seem to be increasing every year.
Series: Water Tragedy: Climate Refugee of Bangladesh
Digital Archival Print
28 x 44 cm
2007
Hashail, Munshiganj, Bangladesh

Hahebanu (18), having fought for 12 days with the floodwater, the struggle of this woman continues in Kurigram as the water has not yet receded. Waterlogging, following floods is thought to be on the rise in the event of climate change, making people more
Series: Water Tragedy: Climate Refugee of Bangladesh
Digital Archival Print
28 x 44 cm
2007
Chilmari, Kurigram, Bangladesh

Monwara’s Quran lies ravaged and ruined in the paddy field in Borguna. One day after the cyclone, while hunting for her belongings, she stumbled upon the holy book.
Series: Water Tragedy: Climate Refugee of Bangladesh
Digital Archival Print
28 x 44 cm
2007
Pathorghata, Borguna, Bangladesh

Puspa Rani Roy is distraught with grief and uncertainty. The vicious River Padma has washed away her home, cattle and other possessions. She waits, clueless about her next refuge in Munshiganj, victimized by the wraths of climate.
Series: Water Tragedy: Climate Refugee of Bangladesh
Digital Archival Print
60 x 90 cm
2007
Chilmari, Bangladesh

Climate refugees have been forced to migrate to new lands because of riverbank erosion. The tins roofs from destroyed houses have been collected where the meager clothing of a mother and her child have been left to dry.
Series: Water Tragedy: Climate Refugee of Bangladesh
Digital Archival Print
28 x 44 cm
2007
Munshiganj, Bangladesh

Flood waters remain logged. The people have adapted to this aspect of climate and continue to exist in waist-deep flood waters, sometimes even inside their homes.
Series: Water Tragedy: Climate Refugee of Bangladesh
Digital Archival Print
28 x 44 cm
2007
Chilmari, Bangladesh

Hatem Ali, 70 years old, has become completely penniless after the cyclone hit in Borguna. All his possessions – 20 chickens, 7 goats, 1 boat and his house have been wrecked. He shudders at the thought of beggining a new life.
Series: Water Tragedy: Climate Refugee of Bangladesh
Digital Archival Print
60 x 90 cm
2007
Borguna

A mother is feeding her child as they move towards a new land.
Series: Water Tragedy: Climate Refugee of Bangladesh
Digital Archival Print
28 x 44 cm
2007
Munshiganj, Bangladesh

All photos©Munem Wasif

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