LEDARS organized a press conference in National Press Club demandingcoordinated action to save the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh.

LEDARS organized a press conference on 29 October 2024, at the National Press Clubdemanding coordinated action for the neglected southwestern coastal region ofBangladesh—a climate hotspot facing severe challenges. Bangladesh is one of theclimate vulnerable countries of the world. And the southwest coastal region is theclimate hotspot of the country. Farmers cannot cultivate due to salinity increase, sealevel rise, frequent tidal surge. Drinking water is severe scare in this area. Livelihoods ischallenging here for the fragile ecosystems. Health hazard is increasing in the coastalarea so fast. People are facing huge loss and damage for frequent disasters. People ofcoastal area migrating for better livelihood what has reflected in the national populationcensus.Even 53 years after independence, the people of the southwestern coast remaindeprived in every sector. Despite this region’s significant contribution to the nationaleconomy, it has been met with extreme neglect. Although frequently impacted byclimate disasters, the region has received very limited allocations from climate funds.Adequate measures to find permanent solutions for the problems in this area have yet to be implemented. The coastal population continues to live in the same distressedconditions year after year. Effective plans and initiatives are needed to address thecoastal crisis and secure the people’s rights to livelihood, security, and development.For over a decade, affected coastal communities and representatives from civil societyhave repeatedly appealed to the government. Yet, despite a third of the nation’spopulation living in severe crisis, there has been little intervention. Currently,representatives from affected communities, environmental activists, and civil societyleaders have submitted a 14-point demand to the interim government of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement for comprehensive protection of the coast. Followingare the key demands: