A compelling photography exhibition titled "Surging Hope: Stories of Climate Resilience" was inaugurated at Aloki, Dhaka on Wednesday that tells the story of resilience amid the climate crisis.

The exhibition, organised by of Concern Worldwide, highlights the journey of resilience through challenges faced by the flood-prone communities in northern Bangladesh residing at the forefront of the climate crisis for generations.

The photographs captured the lives of the people and their testament of resilience in the climate crisis across Sundarganj in Gaibandha and Hatibandha in Lalmonirhat, two of the most flood-affected areas in northern Bangladesh.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Nayoka Martinez Bäckström, first secretary at the Embassy of Sweden, and Masud Jamil Khan, Honorary Consul of Ireland and Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, former foreign affairs Adviser of a Caretaker Government.

Dignitaries from various embassies, donor agencies, INGOs, researchers, and academics attended the opening ceremony, where they witnessed firsthand the stark yet hopeful stories of strength and survival in the face of one of the world's greatest challenges.

In the open ceremony of the photo exhibition, a Photobook was launched to connect the audiences with the lives of climate-vulnerable communities who are making climate change a lived reality for these people.

The exhibition shares powerful visual narratives that capture the lives and struggles of climate-vulnerable communities living on the front lines of the climate crisis.

Eminent photographer Saikat Mojumdar said the images highlight both the hardships and the unwavering courage of those affected, showing the resilience that defines the spirit of these communities.

Supported by Concern Worldwide's Flood Resilience Programme and implemented through their local partner, Gana Unnayan Kendra (GUK), the exhibition captures the grassroots initiatives that have empowered these communities to better anticipate, prepare for, and recover from climate-driven disasters.

The programme, implemented as part of the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance, focuses on strengthening the capacity of flood-prone communities to anticipate, prepare for, and recover from floods.

"Needless to say, it is extremely important, and the photographs you will see, capture not only the aesthetic beauty of the communities, but also the profound importance of the work Concern Worldwide is engaged in here," said Masud Khan congratulating the photographer for the great work he has done.

At Cosmos Group, he said, they founded WildTeam over 16 years ago.

"Our mission is carrying out activities to improve the conservation status of key species and habitats in Bangladesh, and developing partnerships, tools and platforms to build the capacity of organisations and individuals to carry out effective conservation," Masud Khan said.

Manish Kumar Agrawal, Country Director of Concern Worldwide, emphasised the importance of the event, stating, "These photographs are not just images; they are powerful stories of hope, resilience, and transformation. Through this exhibition, we intended to portray both the continuous struggles of the communities as well as their immense courage to become more resilient to combat climate change impact."

The exhibition is open until November 1 from 3pm to 9pm daily at Aloki (211 Gulshan - Tejgaon Link Road, Dhaka).