Yunus Urges Climate-Resilient Housing in Disaster-Prone Areas

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has called for urgent development of climate-resilient and affordable housing in disaster-prone regions, urging UN-Habitat to expand its presence in Bangladesh to support vulnerable communities.

Prof Yunus made the remarks during a meeting with Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Anacláudia Rossbach, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The discussion covered a range of issues, including affordable housing for rapidly urbanizing areas, waste management, microfinance-based housing solutions, and the broader impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.

Highlighting the increasing frequency of floods, cyclones, and river erosion, Prof Yunus stressed the need for context-specific, multipurpose housing models that can withstand such disasters. He suggested innovative designs, such as rooftops that can function as boats during floods, and advocated for women-friendly homes that meet the daily needs of female residents.

Prof Yunus also underscored the urgent need for durable housing for over one million Rohingya refugees currently living in Bangladesh. He invited UN-Habitat to participate in a high-level UN conference on the Rohingya crisis and proposed launching an annual global design competition to promote climate-resilient and affordable housing solutions worldwide.

Anacláudia Rossbach welcomed the proposals, confirming UN-Habitat’s interest in attending the Rohingya conference and in visiting the refugee camps in Bangladesh. She emphasised the importance of a strong UN-Habitat presence in the country, given its frontline position in the global climate crisis, and invited Bangladesh to take part in upcoming international forums, including the Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul and the next UN-Habitat World Urban Forum in Baku.

The meeting also highlighted the critical role of sustainable waste management, incremental housing development, and improved urban planning, alongside the integration of microfinance in housing initiatives. Housing and Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed were also present.