Local Partner: Sundarban Adibasi Munda Sangastha (SAMS)
Background and objective: Approximately 4000- 6000 Munda indigenous peoples are one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in Bangladesh with their area facing the climate hazards such as cyclones, tornados, flood and other natural disaster. Most of the Munda people livelihood is dependent on forest and agricultural field but it has been impeded by the sea level and saline water increase everywhere. The indigenous Munda people have their own social system named Panchayet Parishad with their own traditional social system but is not applied at present.
The main aim of the project is to increase resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change through raising awareness and restoring traditional knowledge in Munda community, reviving the traditional system, empower Munda women as agents of change. This project second phase build on the first project gains and continues the initiatives by supporting establishment indigenous knowledge networks for the revitalization of endangered indigenous knowledge for climate change resilience focused on health, provide capacity building, awareness raising, community development and advocacy. They will integrated approach in implementing traditional medicine initiative based on Munda traditional knowledge, build social and inclusive leadership in the community, facilitated access to freshwater .
Local partner information:
SAMS was created in 2003 with the intent to support the self-determined development of Munda peoples based on the strength of their traditions, values and culture. Constituted by young Munda people, SAMS dreams of an equal and just society where the Munda people may occupy an honoured place recognized in their cultural diversity, worthy and active citizens of Bangladesh. SAMS may thus be the beginning of the Munda’s re-birth to a full human life.
