In a quiet oval-shaped tent nestled near the Karnapara BR Bridge along the Karnatali river in Savar is a climate-resilient community, including a 27-year-old Ainal Huq and his three-member family.
They have found a new home of 120 climate victims, including 35 women and 30 children, after enduring the relentless erosion by the Jamuna in north-eastern Jamalpur district.
Mr Ainal, originally from Nawapara union under Islampur upazila, shares with the FE a collective story of 30-35 families who have resettled at this favela just outside the bustling capital of Dhaka.
The journey of this community has been one of constant migration, with families uprooted at least three times due to the ruthless force of nature.
Since 2018, Mr Ainal has called this makeshift settlement his home. Despite challenges, he has managed to earn a living by running a grocery shop there.
What sets his story apart is not just the resilience in the face of displacement, but the determination to bring light into darkness.
As a climate victim, Mr Ainal faced the frustration of being unable to access government electricity.
However, in 2014-15, a beacon of hope emerged for Mr Ainal and seven other families as they decided to embrace solar power.
The decision to adopt solar energy was not merely a practical one for Mr Ainal. It was a testament to the indomitable human spirit.
Having witnessed the success of solar systems in his ancestral home, Mr Ainal took charge of his energy needs, empowering his community in the process.
In the heart of adversity, where homes are makeshift and the sense of permanence elusive, solar panels stand tall, symbolising not just a source of power but a source of resilience and self-reliance.
Mr Ainal's story becomes a narrative of adaptation and innovation, as the community has harnessed the sun's energy to illuminate their lives in the absence of conventional solutions.
As the sun sets over the BR Bridge, it casts its glow on more than just the riverbank.
It illuminates a community that, despite being climate victims, has found a way to stand resilient in the face of challenges through the transformative power of solar energy.
"Eight years ago, we and five households invested in five solar units without any support from development organisations or the government. Today, our community boasts seven solar units serving 18 households."
Mr Ainals purchased solar units from the nearby market at Tk 8,000. However, these units have proved to be substandard, requiring frequent maintenance that is financially challenging for them.
Solar power is exclusively utilised for small rechargeable fans, a lamp and mobile phone chargers.
Kajoli Begum, a 35-year-old woman with a husband and two children, said her family was compelled to bathe in the contaminated waters of the river due to the unavailability of clean water.
She shared the distressing reality that her family along with others in the community was grappling with various illnesses, particularly skin diseases, resulting from regular dips in the river.
Ms Kajoli highlighted the challenging situation regarding the upkeep of solar panels, emphasising that a significant portion of households could not bear the associated costs.
Children, expectant mothers and other female inhabitants face severe issues related to sanitation, with unsanitary living conditions in the tent posing threats to their health, according to her.
More than 7.1 million Bangladeshis were displaced by climate change in 2022, a number that could reach 13.3 million by 2050, the WHO revealed recently.
As of 25 December 2023, Bangladesh's total renewable energy installed capacity was 1201.77 megawatt (MW), of which 967.78 MW was attributed to solar power.
Within the solar capacity, 366.76 MW is dedicated to off-grid solutions.
As per the preliminary Population and Housing Census 2022 from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), nearly 1.8-million people inhabit slums countrywide.
On the other hand, 22,185 individuals are reported to be homeless.
According to the census findings, the majority of slum-dwellers are concentrated in Dhaka, with Mymensingh having the lowest number of slums.
Dhaka is home to about 884,000 slum-dwellers, while Mymensingh hosts 36,491 individuals in slum areas.
The BBS also highlights the prevalence of floating populations, with the highest number recorded in Dhaka at 9,470, while Mymensingh has a considerably lower figure of 696 floating individuals.
Shafiqul Alam, lead energy analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), said given the challenges and hardships these people had, they needed houses that would not be affected again due to climate-induced events.
Then they need support for their livelihoods and of course energy needs, according to him.
Job creation for these communities would be important, he said, adding that at the same time, grant support would perhaps be required to support the installation of solar systems at their new homes.
"Climate-displaced communities, with limited adaptive capacities, can utilise solar energy for resilience. Government initiatives are crucial for financing solar panel setups with batteries. Climate finance and development agencies' support, given their programmes, can play a vital role."
Dipal Chandra Barua, founder and chairman of the Bright Green Energy Foundation and former president of the Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), highlighted the positive impact of their solar system initiatives, highlighting their role in supporting vulnerable communities.
Mr Barua urged the government to establish an effective tracking and monitoring mechanism for such communities to address their essential needs.
He emphasised the necessity of developing an organised approach to provide high-quality solar systems to these communities.
To ensure a systematic and sustainable rehabilitation process, Mr Barua suggested the creation of a comprehensive database for such individuals nationwide.
He recommended placing this responsibility under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief or the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
Siddique Zobair, a senior sustainable energy expert at the Asian Development Bangladesh, commended the proactive approach of climate victims in harnessing natural resources and reducing carbon emissions.
A significant number of individuals affected by climate issues, including the bede (gypsy) community, have embraced solar energy to fulfil their lighting needs, according to Mr Zobair.
"Before adopting solar power, these communities primarily relied on kerosene lamps that emitted carbon. The repercussions were not only environmental, but also posed risks to the well-being of the community members, particularly children."
"Incidents of fires caused by lamp usage resulted in injuries to women and children, emphasising the detrimental impact of carbon emissions on their lives," added Mr Zobair.
Using solar power, they can listen to radio and use their smartphones which facilitates entertainment as well, according to him.
As they faced pure water shortage, Mr Zobair said, a tubewell could be set up using high-powered solar.
He pointed out that by utilising solar power, these communities could not only power radio, but also charge smartphones, providing them with entertainment options.
Considering their scarcity of clean water, Mr Zobair suggested the installation of a tubewell powered by high-capacity solar systems.
He suggested that the government, leveraging the UN's loss and damage funds, take responsibility for rehabilitating these bede communities as well as climate refugees who lost properties and livelihoods due to frequent floods, cyclones and river erosion.
This, he believes, will offer the most effective solution to improving their lives and livelihoods.
Nirod Chandra Mondal, joint secretary of Power Division's renewable-energy sector, expressed the government's commitment to identifying opportunities to support vulnerable communities based on their lighting requirements.
Currently, there are no ongoing projects specifically designed to cater to these needs, according to him.
"It's truly commendable that, despite being victims of climate challenges, they are contributing to the planet's well-being by reducing carbon emissions and harnessing natural resources."
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