Bangladesh is situated in the delta of the Ganges- Brahmaputra-Meghna river systems, the largest river delta in the world. More than 160 million people live in the delta of Bangladesh and depend on its distinct landscapes for their living. This delta is highly vulnerable due to river erosion. Across Bangladesh, thousands of families have been rendered homeless because of river erosion. It is estimated that about one million people are affected each year by riverbank erosion. Rivers took away their existence. Their shelter, security, memories, belongings and everything they had is lost. River erosion compels people to migrate or leave their place of origin and destroys the livelihood, cultural heritage, and social fabric of entire communities. Displacement is the instant effect of river erosion. When they are displaced from their place of birth, they are disconnected from their source of income, and other livelihood options, forcing them to take up new livelihood activities. Many of those arriving in city areas end up in the urban slums with rudimentary housing conditions, very high population density, and poor sanitation. Many are again located on the embankment of the river or nearby char villages.
There are about 4 million displaced people in the country who live a floating life. People displaced by river erosion experience extensive socio-economic poverty and marginalization as a result of forced displacement from their place of origin. Victims have been cursed by displacement for a long time. They are never able to build a proper house to protect themselves from erosion. gradually sinking into the abyss of uncertainty. Poverty is the utmost outcome of river erosion. River erosion makes poor people poor again and rural poor become urban poor.




