ELLIE VAN HOUTTE

  • Home
  • Galleries
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • Instagram
  • About
  • Video
  • Blog
  • Contact
Show Navigation
STORIES All Galleries

Bangladesh: Land of 700 Rivers { 17 images } Created 7 Feb 2012

According to the United Nations Development Programme, Bangladesh could lose 15 percent to 18 percent of its land area to rising sea levels due to global climate change, turning 30 million people into "environmental refugees" by 2050. Both blessing and curse, the extensive arteries of water that branch into the heart of Bangladesh are the lifeline to the agrarian and fishing lifestyles of an entire country. The way of life, and the entire country are in perilous threat of vanishing, and impact of recent cyclones and flooding on the landscape in the Khulna Division of Bangladesh can only begin to reveal the whole story.
twitterlinkedinfacebook
View: 100 | All

Loading ()...

  • There are few places in the world where people endure the wrath of mother nature and the increasing impact of climate change as much as Bangladesh. On average, the Bengali people will experience cyclones 16 times in a decade.  Even with such adversity, the people of some of the most devastated communities of the country continue to endure.
    1.Endurance To Overcome_EllieVanHout...jpg
  • 2.Bangladesh Land of 700 Rivers_Elli...jpg
  • 3.TenuousStateofBrokenBricks_EllieVa...jpg
  • 4.Remnants_EllieVanHoutte.jpg
  • 5.Liminal_EllieVanHoutte.jpg
  • A newly constructed pathway of hardened earth waves its way through the desolate landscape as far as the eye can see.  These roads will allow residents to navigate by foot to their homes and families in remote areas affected by the cyclones.
    6.Long Road Ahead_EllieVanHoutte.jpg
  • 7.TryingToRebound_EllieVanHoutte.jpg
  • Even with substandard living conditions, including inadequate access to fresh drinking water and food----including items like rice and vegetables that were once grown in proliferation locally, families stand in resilience with one another in a reminder of the hope they harbor for one day restoring their homes, communities and livelihoods.
    8.StandingTogether_EllieVanHoutte.jpg
  • The emotional toll of destructive cyclones and climate change patterns in the Khulna Division is reflected in the posture of this local women, who sits on the embankment  to watch her husband at work with rebuilding efforts.
    9.On Edge_EllieVanHoutte.jpg
  • Sitting with his net, this fisherman punctuates a landscape of displaced bricks and water that seems to weave endlessly into the distance.
    10.Among the Wreckage_EllieVanHoutte.jpg
  • 11.We Will Overcome_EllieVanHoutte.jpg
  • 12.Vulnerable_EllieVanHoutte.jpg
  • Local villagers lay in place the foundation for future roadways to replace those that were washed away.
    13.Rebuild_EllieVanHoutte.JPG
  • 13b.Rebuild_EllieVanHoutte.JPG
  • A boat loaded with supplies disappears into the morning fog along the Pursar River, inching towards the inland cities of Bangladesh. Just as the boat floats away into the distance, will the stories of the people of Chulna also sink into oblivion?
    14.Forgotten in the Fog_EllieVanHout...JPG
  • Whether it be pushing their boats out to the port to taxi passengers in the early morning dew, or pulling their rickshaw van off to the market to sell their hanging vegetables, local people move forward with their lives, even though the impact of climate change leaves a lasting footprint.
    15.MovingForward_EllieVanHoutte.JPG
  • 16.Reality_EllieVanHoutte.tiff