Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change and sea level rise. Flooding due to tropical cyclones constitutes a devastating hazard through storm surges and accompanying water logging and salinity. For example, in 2007, Cyclone Sidr, caused 3500 deaths and in 2009 Cyclone Aila, destroyed homes and inundated the land of southern Bangladesh with salt water. The coastal areas of Bangladesh comprise low-lying and poorly protected land which supports a large population. The majority of this population are poor and dependent on agriculture, and are thus more vulnerable to tropical cyclones, storm surges, floods, and droughts. For example, in 2004 severe floods destroyed over three quarters of food crops, and left 10 million people homeless. There is also a desertification process occurring in the northern districts of the country. Finally, the coping capacity in Bangladesh remains limited due to the relatively poor physical infrastructure.

These trends were confirmed by the Bangladesh Krishok Federation (peasant farmer’s organisation, BKF) and Bangladesh Kishani Sabha (peasant women’s organization, BKS) who organized 31 workshops in different parts of Bangladesh from 17^th December 2009 to 27^th January 2010. Those workshops were organized to asses the impact of climate change. Peasant communities commented on the increasing length of hot dry periods; decreasing water table levels; increased incidence of flooding; changes in weather (such as cold periods and fogs) causing failure of crops; increased cyclone activity and high tidal inundation causing salination of rivers and soil; and changes in the frequency and character of the Monsoon disrupting traditional farming practices. Further, in Bangladesh, food security for peasants has been undermined by issues such as unequal land distribution (especially landlessness) and lack of credit.

As a result, there is an urgent need for both education concerning climate change amongst the peasant population and mobilisation of the population around key issues such as access to land and food sovereignty. Food sovereignty has been recognised by peasant communities and movements as one of the most important practices that enable peasant communities to both mitigate, and adapt to, the effects of climate change. Food sovereignty implies control over territory and biodiversity; self-governance; and ecological sustainability and has acted as a point of encounter, common interest and solidarity. As a result, the BKF has been actively involved in the international farmer’s network, La Via Campesina (LVC), whose opposition to dominant responses to climate change has combined a commitment to the importance of localized forms of agriculture, and food sovereignty.

The BKF and BKS are planning to organise a Climate Change and Food Sovereignty Caravan during late 2011, in order to begin to address these pressing issues, and seeks funding in order to support such an important initiative. Representatives from the BKF participated in the ‘Trade and Climate Change’ caravan that preceded the COP15 mobilisations in Copenhagen in 2009 and also participated in those mobilisations as a member of LVC.

Aims of the Caravan

The Caravan will be organized by the Bangladesh Krishok Federation and Bangladesh Kisani Sabha who will be the host movements in Bangladesh.
The broad aim of the caravan is to address the key issues of climate change and food sovereignty, because there is an ongoing and urgent need to

(i) inform and mobilize vulnerable peasant populations throughout Bangladesh in order to respond to the threats of climate change: and

(ii) build upon international solidarity networks concerning climate change and food sovereignty, such as those nurtured within La Via Campesina of which the BKF is a participant.

In particular, the purpose of the caravan will be to deepen and extend networks of grassroots movements in South Asia and build international solidarity around specific campaigns concerning issues of climate change and food sovereignty. Food sovereignty is one of the most important practices that enables peasant communities to both mitigate, and adapt to, the effects of climate change. Moreover, it also represents one of the most important solutions to the threats that climate change poses for the planet. The caravan will include a gender perspective on these issues throughout its duration. It is expected that there will be participation from grassroots movements from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The focus of the caravan will be on (i) movement to movement communication, learning, and the sharing of experiences, skills and strategies, for example concerning sustainable farming practices, and traditional and indigenous knowledges; (ii) education of communities about the effects of climate change; (iii) holding trainings and workshops; and (iv) conducting rallies. For example, it is expected that along the route of the caravan, seeds will be planted as a key symbol of food sovereignty.

Caravan Route and Activities

The caravan will commence in Kurigram District in Northern Bangladesh and proceed to the south of the country. It will be twenty days in duration. The route can be seen on the attached map (1 to 18).

1. Sonarhat
Caravan commences in Sonarhant in Bhurungamari sub-district in Kurigram district.

2. Nageshowari
Rally and workshop with local peasants around the issue of food sovereignty and climate change. Movement to movement communication, learning, and the sharing of experiences, skills and strategies.

3. Ghogadha
Landless rally concerning food sovereignty demands of peasant farmers.

4. Rangpur
Indigenous rally and discussion with indigenous people about the impacts of climate change. Movement to movement communication, learning, and the sharing of experiences, skills and strategies. Cultural programme: Visit Rangpur Rajbari (Royal Palace), a historical place.

5. Nilfamari
Peasant rally and education workshop with farmers about climate change and climate justice. Visit Tista Barrage, a barrage which partly accounts for local desertification processes.

6. Dinajpur
Workshop with peasants and workers about climate change and its impacts on their lives. Cultural programme: visit Ram Sagor Lake and Raj Bari (Royal Palace).

7. Hilli
Indigenous rally and sharing experiences with indigenous community about adaptations to climate change. Movement to movement communication, learning, and the sharing of experiences, skills and strategies.

8. Bogura
Workshop training with transport labourers and labouring sector about climate change and impacts on food supply in Bangladesh.

9. Narayangonj
Peasant rally and educational trainings with farmers about climate change and climate justice. Movement to movement communication, learning, and the sharing of experiences, skills and strategies. Visit handloom small industries and talk with handloom workers.

10. Sariotpur
Peasant rally and discussion with sugarcane farmers about climate change and food sovereignty.

11. Sathkhira
Workshop with shrimp cultivators and transgender people involved in land occupations and demands for food sovereignty.

12. Munshigonj
Visit shrimp enclosure and Cyclone Aila affected people. Educational training with saline affected people about responses to climate impacts. Movement to movement communication, learning, and the sharing of experiences, skills and strategies. Culutral programme: visit to the mangrove forest of Sundarbon.

13. Khulna
Peasant rally and discussion with farmers about climate change and food sovereignty. Movement to movement communication, learning, and the sharing of experiences, skills and strategies. Visit organic farms.

14. Patharghata
Visit Cyclone SIDR affected area. Workshop with SIDR affected people and fishing communities about climate change and food sovereignty. Movement to movement communication, learning, and the sharing of experiences, skills and strategies.

15. Barguna
Landless people’s rally. Visit Small Island and workshop with fishing communities. Workshop about food sovereignty. Movement to movement communication, learning, and the sharing of experiences, skills and strategies.

16. Amtoli
Visit Cyclone affected people. Training and education workshop with landless people about food sovereignty.

17. Patuakhali
Workshop with SIDR affected people about climate change and adaptation.

18. Barisal
Culmination rally with landless, peasant, labourers, fishing communities and workers.

Budget for Climate Change and Food Sovereignty Caravan

The budget is for 150 Delegates. We expect approximately half of them to be from outside of Bangladesh participating over 20 days and using three buses (A). The budget includes transport and visas for 30 South Asian delegates from India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (B). European and North American delegates will be expected to fund their own travel and visas.

The budget is in Taka (1.00 Euro = 90 Taka)

A.
01. Bus rent 3*25000*20 = 1500000/-
02. Food
(i) Breakfast = 150000/-
(ii) Lunch and Dinner = 1800000/-
(iii) Tea and Snacks = 150000/-
03. Bed (bed + bed-sheet + mosquito net) = 90000/-
04. Mike = 30000/-
05. Banner and Festoon = 100000/-
06. Leaflet and Booklet = 50000/-
07. Organizing cost = 200000/-
08. Media = 100000/-
09. Miscellaneous = 200000/-
= 4370000/-
= 47,134.90 EUR

B.
01. Transport and visa costs of South Asian delegates:
30 from Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India
30 x 28,460/- = 853800/- = 9,218 EUR

Grand Total (A+B) = 56,352 EUR
In word: Fifty Three Thousand Three Hundred and Fifty Two Euros.