By S. M. Osman Goni from Shyamnagar, Satkhira,
A youth strike demanding climate justice for climate-vulnerable coastal communities was held in Shyamnagar of Satkhira district recently which highlighted the crisis, challenges and possibilities of Bangladesh’s south-western coastal region.
With support from BARCIK, the programme was organized and implemented by local youth voluntary groups Sundarban Youth Solidarity Team (SST) and the Coastal Youth Network. Participants demanded protection of coastal livelihoods, safe housing and fair compensation for climate-affected communities in the face of worsening climate impacts.
Organizers said that coastal people are suffering daily from salinity intrusion, cyclones, tidal surges and livelihood insecurity. However, they stressed the urgent need for effective state planning and justice-based decision-making for these vulnerable populations. Through this youth-led strike, coastal young people aimed to spread the message of climate justice across the country.
The programme was presided over by Saidul Islam, President of SST. Speakers included Maruf Hossain Milon, Programme Officer of BARCIK; youth organizer S. M. Osman Goni; Tripti Biswas, General Secretary of SST; Treasurer Jahid Hossain; Organizing Secretary of the Coastal Youth Network Swapan Das; along with Mahfuzur Rahman and Masud Rana, among others.
At the end of the programme, participants displayed placards and banners and raised slogans such as “Climate Justice Now” and “Save the Coast, Save the People”, expressing solidarity with the just demands of coastal communities.
SSST Joint General Secretary Imran Hossain and members Pallabi Mondal, Minajul Islam Riyaj, Boishakhi Mondal, Rupa Mondal and Bithika Mondal also participated in the event.
