By BRAC UPGI • June 1, 2020 • 1 minute read
By Atiya Rahman, Anindita Bhattacharjee, Dr Narayan Das, Rafia Nisat (June 2020)
Produced by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development, BRAC University and Supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
In collaboration with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), BRAC rolled out its flagship Ultra-Poor Graduation (UPG) program in Ukhiya and Teknaf sub-districts of Cox’s Bazar, targeting the ultra-poor households from the host community living in Cox’s Bazar who are facing a crisis due to the influx of the Rohingya refugees. In our study, we evaluate the impact of the program on the lives of the targeted ultra-poor households in the 2018 program cohort in these two sub-districts, using a quasi-experimental design. We found that the program increased per capita monthly income by about 30 per cent among participating households and also has had positive effects on savings about two years after the program implementation. Estimated effects on food and non-food consumption expenditure are also positive and statistically significant. There is, consequently, a remarkable improvement in the food security situation among the participants.