Amid the challenges posed by climate change impacts and the far-reaching ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study—conducted by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) in collaboration with the BRAC Migration Programme—addresses the imperative of enhancing the economic recovery capacity of vulnerable individuals, particularly returnee migrants, who have been disproportionately affected.
Researchers: Fahim Subhan Chowdhury; Md. Mohsin Hossain; Rohini Kamal; Md. Mahbub Ul Hassan Sharan
Partners: BRAC Migration Programme
Timeline: 2022–2024
Status: Ongoing
Contact: Md. Mahbub Ul Hassan Sharan; mahbubul.hassan@bracu.ac.bd
Context
To strengthen the economic recovery capacity of climate-vulnerable new poor, particularly returnee migrants affected by the pandemic, the BRAC Migration Programme offers personalized reintegration plans, entrepreneurship training, and psychosocial support. Sensitizing government and private service providers to their needs, the project aims to empower returnee migrants who grapple with economic hardships and social isolation arising from climate change and pandemic-related disruptions by facilitating access to enhanced livelihood opportunities, social safety nets, and support services. Collaboration with local government institutions will ensure effective implementation and support for returnee migrants’ economic recovery and social integration, aligning with government strategies for inclusive growth and COVID-19 response, as well as international mandates for climate adaptation and social welfare.
Objectives
The current project seeks to address these multifaceted challenges arising from the impacts of COVID-19 and climate change faced by returnee migrants in climate-vulnerable regions of Bangladesh. It provides a holistic solution aimed at ensuring their sustainable livelihoods. The project’s objectives are to identify 2,500 returnee migrants; of these, 1,250 returnee migrants will receive financial assistance, psychosocial counseling, medical support, and capacity-building training to engage in income-generating activities (IGAs), along with small business development support. The project will also facilitate the connection of 1,250 additional returnee migrants and their families with microfinance institutions and government and private agencies for social security and financial inclusion. Collectively, these interventions will enhance the economic productivity of the migrants and enable them to secure sustainable livelihoods, allowing them to contribute to the national economy.
Methodology
The evaluation of the “Strengthening Economic Recovery Capacity of Climate-Vulnerable New-Poor, Especially Returnee Migrants Impacted by COVID-19” programme will use a quasi-experimental design, involving both a treatment group (programme beneficiaries) and a control group. The treatment group consists of 467 returnee migrant households, selected from a beneficiary list provided by the BRAC Migration programme, while the control group comprises 507 households from adjacent localities with similar socioeconomic characteristics.
Baseline data were collected through face-to-face surveys using a structured questionnaire, focusing on demographics, financial assets, savings, debts, livestock, market linkages, climate change knowledge, climate-resilient agricultural practices, and challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Household heads or, in their absence, primary female members were interviewed. Propensity score matching (PSM) will be employed to address any non-random selection biases in the control group. An endline study will follow, comparing baseline and endline data to measure the programme’s impact. The surveys were conducted across several districts, including Satkhira, Khulna, Sirajgonj, Barishal, and Jamalpur. The results of this baseline study will provide critical insights into the initial conditions of both groups, laying the foundation for subsequent analysis of the programme’s effectiveness.
Findings and Recommendations
Forthcoming