Strengthening cash-based programming in hard to reach area of Bangladesh

Global climate change is likely to cause rising sea levels and increased frequency and severity of flooding in low-lying areas. Gowainghat, a Hard-to-Reach upazila under Sylhet district in North East Bangladesh is a low-lying Haor basin area which is particularly vulnerable of flooding. Devastating flood is a regular feature of this area. Heavy rain and onrush of water from hills across the border often trigger the flash flood.

It is evident that, such recurrent disaster pattern often leads the disaster-prone areas with devastating losses and situation forces poor households to resort to negative coping mechanisms including reduced food intakes and taking out of loans to support their reduced livelihoods options. 

Considering the needs and vulnerabilities this GC innovation fund project named “Strengthening Cash based programming in hard to reach area of Bangladesh” is being implementing here to create opportunities and come up with innovative solutions for cash-based programming (CBP), improve distance-monitoring system, staff and community capacity strengthening in hard to reach areas. This project is implementing in 4 village (Lengura & Chittingbari in Lengura Union; Towakkul & Ghoramara in Towakkul union). 

The best practices of the project are: 

■ Promote Last Mile Mobile Solution (LMMS), an innovative technology to make the lives of front-line staff easier and the lives of beneficiaries simpler

■ Develop local capacity and necessary tools to enhance efficiency of cash-based programming

■ Design cash-based programming to address the needs and priorities of the affected people in hard to reach areas

■ Establish a system for distance monitoring of implementation, outputs and outcomes of cash-based programing

LMMS step by step process

Through “Strengthening Cash based programming in hard to reach area of Bangladesh” project a total 150 households in four villages of two unions in Gowainghat upazila received 4500 BDT (52.88 USD) Multi-Purpose Cash Grants (MPCG). 

Innovative technologies like Last Mile Mobile Solution (LMMS) and Mobile Money Transfer (MMT) have been used to implement this cash-based programme. 

LMMS combines software applications with custom hardware to digitise (and simplify) beneficiary registration, verification, distribution planning and management, monitoring and reporting with the ability to integrate with third party applications.

The application of LMMS is a shift from traditional paper-based beneficiary identification and selection digital database management. Beneficiary data are stored online data platforms and can be updated regularly at any time allowing optimal use of time and resources. 

Besides, this project helps pre-identification of vulnerable HHs eligible for cash grants and help the disaster risk reduction and preparedness activities along with a chance of leveraging resources and ensuring faster humanitarian support, including Cash to the disaster affected people.

Testimony:

1) Soudun Nesa, 62, a resident of Ghoramara haore

Me and my daughter we both work as maid at other people’s home and often we need to be engaged in their agriculture work. But, nowadays we don’t get work and it is really difficult for us to earn for our livelihood. However, we are very happy to receive 4,500 BDT (52.88 USD) from World Vision through bKash. I had no idea about bKash account before but WV volunteer helped me to open the account. So, after receiving the money in my bKash account I transacted the money from a bKash agent.

2) Parul Rani, 35, a resident of Ghoramara haore

Due to our extreme poverty we became selected as beneficiary to receive the cash.  The WV staff and volunteers went to each home and took the information and photo of our family members. We also attended the meeting from where we knew that we will get the money in bKash account. Then, they helped us to create the bKash account. After the distribution they again asked us if we have received the money properly and helped those who found difficulties in receiving the money through bKash.  We are really grateful to World Vision.

3) Jorina Begum, 60, a resident of Ghoramara haore

I worked as maid earlier but now I have become old and not fit to work anymore. That is why I beg from door to door which I really don’t like. So, with the money I received from World Vision through bKash, I bought 15 ducks and with the rest of the money I purchased rice. Now, my wish is to rear the ducks so that I can earn money by selling the eggs. I would be able to stop begging if I become successful at duck rearing. Me, my daughter and grandchildren will also be benefitted from the earning.

4) Aleya Begum, 28, a resident of Ghoramara haore

My father-in-law Matiur Rahman, 64, remains sick due to his old age. So, we have decided to spend the money we received from World Vision for his treatment purpose. With the rest of the money we bought ten hens and 5 ducks to rear. We are hoping that we can make good profit by selling the eggs in the market, my child will also get nutrition from the eggs.