OKUP Awarded for the Saleemul Huq Memorial Scholarship
We are exited to share that Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP) has been awarded for the Saleemul Huq Memorial Scholarship, a prestigious award that honors the legacy of Dr. Saleemul Huq, a global advocate for climate justice and one of the foremost champions for addressing climate-induced loss and damage. This scholarship, under the ALL ACT initiative, is dedicated to empowering local organizations and experts to document and tackle the multi-faceted impacts of climate change on communities around the world.
At the online launch event, Shakirul Islam, Chairperson of OKUP, delivered a speech reflecting on OKUP’s journey and our continued dedication to supporting migrants, particularly those affected by climate change in coastal Bangladesh. He said:
“Founded in 2004, OKUP emerged as a platform for returnee migrants and their families. Our Executive Director, Omar Faruque Chowdhury, a returnee migrant himself, initiated this movement to raise the voices of migrants and protect their rights and dignity, regardless of legal status or gender.”
OKUP’s Climate and Migration Work
Over the years, OKUP has focused on addressing the intersection of climate change and migration, especially as it affects vulnerable coastal communities in Bangladesh. Shakirul Islam highlighted:
“Since 2018, we have focused on both research and action projects to explore the links between climate change and migration, and to craft rights-based, community-led solutions that promote sustainable adaptation and resilience. Our goal is to ensure that the voices of migrants and displaced communities are central to any climate policy and intervention.”
Shakirul Islam, OKUP Chairperson
OKUP’s selection for the Saleemul Huq Memorial Scholarship is a significant milestone, as it will enable us to expand our research on the critical issue of climate-induced migration. With this support, OKUP is initiating a new research project focused on:
Gather evidence on how climate-induced disasters, such as flooding and rising sea levels, lead to forced migration and displacement.
Assess the economic and non-economic losses and damages caused by these disasters, focusing on how these events affect migrants’ livelihoods, physical and mental health, and social structures.
Understand the rights violations faced by migrants due to climate-driven migration, emphasizing how displacement exacerbates vulnerabilities in affected communities.
OKUP’s research will use a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative data collection with qualitative insights from lived experiences. These findings will help shape policy discussions surrounding a ‘rights-based approach’ to climate-induced migration, advocating for both the right to stay in one’s homeland and the right to move when staying is no longer viable. The research will also contribute to ongoing efforts to address loss and damage while building resilience in affected regions.
Honoring Dr. Saleemul Huq’s Legacy
During his speech, Shakirul Islam also paid tribute to Dr. Saleemul Huq, a pioneer in global climate change advocacy. Dr. Huq’s work has inspired countless organizations, including OKUP, to focus on locally-led solutions to climate challenges. Shakirul shared:
“I would like to take this opportunity to remember Dr. Haque, whose outstanding contributions to global climate change advocacy continue to inspire us. I extend my sincere thanks to IIED, ICCCAD, and everyone involved in the selection process for this honor.”
C-CIQ Toolkit: A New Tool for Climate Impact Assessment
Alongside the announcement of the scholarship finalists, the event also featured the launch of the Comprehensive Climate Impact Quantification (C-CIQ) Toolkit. This innovative toolkit combines participatory methodologies with economic valuation techniques, making it accessible to grassroots organizations and local communities who have traditionally been excluded from complex climate assessment processes. The C-CIQ toolkit is designed to empower local actors by providing them with practical tools to assess and quantify the impacts of climate change on their communities.
Global Collaboration for Climate Action
The event also announced the formation of a South-South-North peer review network to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration between regions. This initiative will improve research quality and foster the sharing of best practices in climate resilience, loss, and damage.
As a finalist for the Saleemul Huq Memorial Scholarship, OKUP is proud to join 25 other organizations from diverse regions, including Asia, Africa, the Pacific, the Caribbean, and Latin America. These organizations are tackling a wide range of climate-related challenges across critical themes:
Loss of quality of life (shelter, food, health, education)
Loss of cultural heritage
Mental and physical health impacts
Loss of ecosystems and biodiversity
Social disruption (migration and displacement)
OKUP’s specific focus on migration and displacement aligns with our longstanding commitment to supporting migrants and their families, especially those whose lives have been affected by climate change.
Looking Ahead
With the Saleemul Huq Memorial Scholarship, OKUP is ready to enhance its impact on climate-induced migration research and advocacy. Our findings will inform both national and global policy discussions on how to better protect the rights of climate-displaced people while addressing the broader issue of loss and damage.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to IIED, ICCCAD, and the selection committee for this tremendous honor, and we look forward to contributing to a more resilient, equitable future for all.
