‘Surging Hope’ showcases flood-prone BD people’s resilience

Surging Hope photographic exhibition displays the resilience of food-prone Bangladesh communities. UNB

Dhaka, Oct 30 - Flooding remains one of Bangladesh’s most pressing natural disasters, with this year’s floods inflicting widespread damage and hardship across the country. 

Concern Worldwide’s Flood Resilience Programme has documented the resilience of affected communities in northern Bangladesh through a new photobook, “Surging Hope: Stories of Climate Resilience” and an exhibition of the same name. 

The exhibition launched Wednesday at Aloki on Tejgaon Link Road in Dhaka, highlighting stories of resilience among flood-prone communities that have confronted the impacts of climate change for generations.

The opening ceremony was attended by dignitaries. Masud Jamil Khan, Honorary Consul of Ireland in Bangladesh, expressed his unwavering support for the cause.

“In Bangladesh, I fully support initiatives for youth. Concern Worldwide has been active here since 1971, working tirelessly to support communities. Flooding disrupts families, education, and livelihoods. Photographer Saikat did an amazing job capturing the various forms of flooding in Bangladesh. In terms of climate change, we focus on the Sundarbans, ensuring tiger safety, access to fresh water, and providing other environmental support for the people of Bangladesh. We believe we can continue to make a difference,” said Honorary Consul Khan.

Manish Kumar Agarwal, Country Director for Concern Worldwide Bangladesh, emphasised the importance of resilience-building efforts in the face of increasing climate challenges: “Today we have organised a photo exhibition titled Surging Hope: Stories of Climate Resilience. Concern has been working in northern Bangladesh to support communities vulnerable to climate change, particularly frequent flooding, in building resilience. We provide technical support to bolster their capacity to withstand these impacts. Climate change is a ticking time bomb for us, evidenced by this year’s back-to-back natural disasters. Bangladesh feels these impacts intensely.

“Bangladesh did not create this crisis but is suffering the consequences. It deserves the critical climate finance required to scale up its adaptation efforts. This exhibition, timed just before COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, aims to highlight our work in building flood resilience in northern Bangladesh. We hope to raise awareness and inspire action from the public, students, media, government, and the international community,” he added.

The exhibition also includes moving photography by Saikat Mojumder, who has captured the resilience and spirit of people in some of the most flood-affected areas in Bangladesh. Mojumder shared his insights on the project: “These photo stories capture the lives and resilience of people facing the climate crisis across Sundarganj in Gaibandha and Hatibandha in Lalmonirhat, two of the most flood-prone areas in northern Bangladesh.

“Frequent flooding in these areas has caused devastating losses of lives, land, and livelihoods, making climate change a harsh reality. Concern Worldwide seeks to portray both the communities’ ongoing struggles and their immense courage to build resilience against climate change,” Mojumder explained.

Through this exhibition, Concern Worldwide hopes to spotlight the experiences and resilience of communities on the frontlines of climate change in Bangladesh. The exhibition aims to motivate individuals and organisations alike to support flood resilience and climate adaptation efforts at both national and international levels. - UNB