Impact of riverbank erosion on the elderly: A study on a coastal district of Bangladesh

Abstract

The rivers have historically played an important role on the lives and livelihood of the people in Bangladesh. The annual flooding over the plains caused by these rivers is considered to be the blessing because it makes the land fertile and the curse if the magnitude of floodwaters regularly causes bank slumping and erosion. As the consequences, every year thousands of people are affected by flood and erosion hazards especially those who live not away from the river banks. Sufferings of riverbank erosion is very terrible on the elderly as they are considered the most vulnerable and dependent group during every disaster period. Riverbank erosion has long been a dominant environmental problem affecting many people of Bangladesh especially the elderly. It has so many adverse effects on the lives and livelihood of the people of this disaster prone country. In this study, it is tried to explore the impact of riverbank erosion on the elderly living in a coastal area of Bangladesh. This study is both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Here, the basic method is sample survey. Apart from these a few case studies were conducted to supplement the total findings of the study. Char Alexander at Ramgoti upazila in the Lakshmipur district is the study area. Purposive sampling method is used for determining the sample where 100 elderly people are selected as sample. The data for this study is collected both from primary and secondary sources. The study is relied on interviews, observation and case study methods. The main objective of the study is to find out the impact of riverbank erosion such as socio-economic, physical (physical illness, sanitation and water source) and psychological status (anxiety, MDD and PTSD) on the livelihood of the affected elderly. Besides, this study has emphasized some recommendations given by the affected elderly for improving their condition.