M. Rezaul Islam

Climate-induced human displacement: a case study of Cyclone Aila in the south-west coastal region of Bangladesh

Abstract The objective of this study was to explore the livelihood patterns and access to the local public services of the climate induced displaced people migrated by the Cyclone Aila in the south-west coastal region of Bangladesh. The study analysed a number of consequences, such as the causes of displacement, their demographic and socio-economic conditions, and their access to the local public services. Data were collected from four unions of three upazilas in the Khulna Division. The study employed a mixed method approach, where quantitative data were collected through a household survey, and qualitative data through focus group discussions, in-depth case studies, and participant observation. The results showed that the Aila affected displaced people were migrated to the nearby places due to their financial vulnerability, loss of physical resources, and insecurity, and they were suffering severely in terms of their unemployment, lack of housing, health problems, and their low access to the local public services. The findings would be important consideration for the disaster policy-makers, disaster mangers, and NGO workers.

Forced eviction in Bangladesh: A human rights issue

The objective of this article is to explore the situation of forced eviction from homes in Bangladesh and its implications in undermining poverty eradication. We argue that it should be considered as a human rights violation. Little is available in literature on forced eviction, and this article focuses on Bangladesh to illustrate a global problem. The main research question was how forced eviction from homes is related to poverty and violation of human rights. To answer this, the article focuses on the nature and causes of forced eviction and its impacts on the livelihoods of the evictees. We conclude that forced eviction arises from poverty, but is also a cause of poverty and human rights violations. We believe that while the study focuses on Bangladesh, the implications are international in scope. We outline a number of social work interventions which could address forced eviction and the struggle for respect of human rights. Our findings are relevant to policy makers, human rights practitioners, government and non-government organizations (GOs–NGOs), and social workers.

Non-governmental organizations and community development in Bangladesh

Despite significant contributions from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in socio-economic development in Bangladesh, the evidence in community development is little known. The findings of this article are based on two NGOs working with two indigenous communities. The study used a qualitative case study research approach, where a multi-method data collection procedure was applied. The analysis of the findings underscored the role of these two NGOs in four ingredients of community development: improving participation, social networking, partnership and development ownership. The results showed that the NGOs’ contributions in community development were credible. The findings provide important guidelines for social workers, NGO workers and development practitioners.

Community participation for rural poverty alleviation: A case of the Iban community in Malaysia:

This study aimed to uncover the influential factors of community participation in a rural poverty alleviation programme in Malaysia. A quantitative approach was used, and data were collected through a self-administered survey questionnaire from 260 respondents of the Iban community in Malaysia. The study considered 22 influential factors (18 as independent variables and 4 as dependent variables) to measure the level of community participation in decision-making, implementation, benefits sharing and evaluation. The study explored how these influential factors interacted with participation in a rural poverty alleviation programme. The results found a diversity of interacting factors within the forms of participation at the implementation level. The article contributes a dynamic and multi-dimensional understanding of how influential factors shape community participation processes. The findings are an important indicator to policy-makers and development practitioners.

Parental attachment for at-risk children's antisocial behaviour: A case of Malaysia

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was twofold: to explore the influential factors of parents’ attachment for at-risk childrens antisocial behaviour, and to know the types of childrens antisocial behaviour caused by being a single-parent family. The sample comprised 1,434 secondary school children from the state of Johore, Malaysia. Results from the structured questionnaire showed that the children were at risk of involvement in antisocial behaviour when their parental controls were either absent or ineffective owing to three risk factors: the absence of parents at home, the number of children in the family, and single-parent family households. The finding of the study has significant policy implications for improvement of parental care to develop child care services in Malaysia.

Threats, vulnerability, resilience and displacement among the climate change and natural disaster-affected people in South-East Asia: an overview

ABSTRACT This paper attempts to unfold the dynamics and nature of the socioeconomic threats and livelihood resilience among the climate change and natural disaster affected people in the South-East Asia. The study captures the nature of the socio-economic threats of the climate change and natural disasters, and unearths the process and underlying causes of livelihood resilience among the local communities in the South-East Asian region. Based on a qualitative interpretative meta-synthesis, it finds that a huge number of people in the South-East Asian countries are displaced and migrated from place of origin, and subjected to resettlement elsewhere with manifestly low level of livelihood resilience. This displacement is largely determined by the underlying vulnerability of people to shocks that compel them to leave their homes and livelihoods for mere survival. The article concludes by offering selected policy lessons, and with an exhortation for further research on this relatively less explored subject.

Socioeconomic consequences of climate induced human displacement and migration in Bangladesh

The main objective of this study was to explore the types and nature of climate induced human displacement and migration, and their socioeconomic consequences in the agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh. The study followed a qualitative research design, where six agro-ecological zones were selected purposively from different parts of Bangladesh. A multi-method data collection method was applied, where the study conducted six participatory rural appraisals (PRAs), eight focus group discussions (FGDs), 24 key informant interviews (KIIs) and 12 in-depth case studies. Data were collected in 2012, and the study used a thematic approach for data analysis. Results showed that the dramatic onset disasters usually caused mass displacement, while the slow onset disasters affected the environment, local ecosystem services and employment opportunities that forced people to undergo routine economic migration at first, followed later by permanent migration. This permanent migration had long-term negative consequences on their livelihoods in terms of poverty, and especially for women, the elderly and those with a disability. It is concluded that while the study focuses on Bangladesh, the implications are international in scope. The findings serve as important guidelines to policy makers, disaster managers and development practitioners.

Population Shifting and Risks of Street Children in Asia: Possible Social Work Interventions

The main objective of this study was to explore the nature of population shifting, possible risks, and social work interventions of the street children in Asia. This article used a qualitative interpretative meta-synthesis (QIMS), a unique method of qualitative data analysis. The results revealed that the street children constitute a dynamic population shifting moving in and out of other designated categories. They may have been trafficked, escaped to the street, but then may fall prey to even worse circumstances. This paper apprehended the efficiency of social work interventions in the lines of vocational training, shelters (and child protection), resettlement, and reintegration. The finding would be an important guideline to the policy makers, human rights practitioners, and social workers.

Coping Strategies Among Mothers of Chronically Ill Children: A Case Study in Malaysia

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to identify the stresses and coping strategies of five mothers in caring for their chronically ill and disabled children. These mothers were receiving services from a nonprofit hospital in Malaysia. Through an in-depth case study design, the findings indicated that emotional stress caused high levels of depression, which decreased life satisfaction that led to poorer physical health. Issues explored included employment, noncooperation of family members, as well as factors related to the mothers individual abilities and how these factors might affect maternal caregiving. Recommendations for future research include identifying probable psychosocial stresses and other associated factors while emphasizing the importance of community-based programs that minimize these stresses.

Poverty and delinquency: A qualitative study on selected juvenile offenders in Malaysia:

This qualitative case study explored the voices of juvenile offenders in Malaysia who were plagued with poverty, and brought to light their plight. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of poverty on the delinquent character and behavioural development of the children on three major crime-enhancing themes – miserable family conditions, school failure and association with deviant peers – to get a broader view of how poverty could influence their life trajectory. The purposive maximum variation sampling method was used in the selection of six young offenders between the ages of 13 and 17 years from Sekolah Tunas Bakti Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A multiple data collection method that included observation, in-depth case study and document analysis was used for data collection. Results showed that three major crime-enhancing themes due to poverty were strongly related to children’s delinquent character and behavioural development. The knowledge gained from this study will further contribute to understanding the real-life experiences of juvenile offenders, particularly those who are experiencing extreme deprivation, and it is hoped that the insight gained could help in the prevention and control of juvenile delinquent behaviour in Malaysia.