Table 9 Adapting to change: effective coping strategies for riverbank erosion-induced migrants

Taking loans, getting help from relatives

³⁸

Getting assistance through debt, help from relatives and selling domestic animals and properties

⁴⁶

>Temporarily living in relative/friend’s house and finding another place to live, even by leasing land from others.

>Moving to the capital of Dhaka city and joining as a garment worker, janitor, cobbler, or fruit retailer.

^1,39

Despite formulating numerous adaptation strategies such as reducing expenses and food consumption, engaging in begging, livestock rearing, and seeking refuge in demesne land to address their livelihood challenges and sustain their lives.

²²

Due to the lack of government’s proper attention to the community who were at risk of erosion, protested through social media and human chain and eventually they succeeded to attract the government. Finally, the government built the revetment in Ramgati.

³⁷

Taking shelter on the road comes embarkment, and renting houses during the time of erosion

⁴⁰

People affected by riverbank erosion have developed coping and adaptation strategies. Despite high levels of psychological distress primarily due to socioeconomic deprivation, they tend to rely heavily on religion and cultural beliefs to interpret and respond to natural calamities.

²⁸

Seasonal migration emerges as a significant coping mechanism in response to food shortages due to riverbank erosion

¹⁴

Early, during and after the hazard assistance from the government may significantly help to mitigate hazardous events like erosion

^71,72,73

Reconstructing homes close by on the properties of family members, acquaintances, and neighbors, as well as on land owned by the government.

⁴¹

Access to community support networks is another key coping strategy for migrants, providing crucial emotional and practical assistance during times of displacement and resettlement.

⁴²

Leasing land for the resettlement of 74.36% households.

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