These policy briefs have been developed to bring together learning from across the shiree consortium with clear evidence-based recommendations for improving the policy environment for the extreme poor in Bangladesh and globally. They are intended to stimulate discussion and action from relevant actors such as government, NGOs, and donors.
SHIREE Donor Policy on Extreme Poverty (2009)
Summary: An overview of the main bilateral, multilateral and INGO policies currently targeting extreme poverty, with a particular focus on South Asia and Bangladesh. It begins by briefly discussing the different ways in which these organisations define extreme poverty and subsequently analyses specific approaches and strategies being employed to tackle the problem.
Promote inclusive cities: Eradicate Extreme Urban Poverty (2010)
Summary: Despite unprecedented growth, nearly 8 million people in the urban areas of Bangladesh are still living without basic services such as healthcare, water and sanitation facilites. Unplanned urbanisation and rapid population growth are resulting in the increasing masses of urban extreme poor with low income, limited employment opportunities, unsafe shelter, low caloric intake, and no power to participate in decision making process. With the continued decline of living conditions of the extreme poor, vulnerable groups such as female-headed households, disabled, elderly, and minority groups are disproportionately affected.
SHIREE Targeting the Extreme Poor (2011)
Summary: Reviews shiree experience with different approaches to targeting the extreme poor, as well as the implications of these best practices for other livelihood and social protection programmes.
Eradicating extreme poverty: Whose responsibility is it? (2011)
Summary: Over 25 million people are prisoners of extreme poverty in Bangladesh. These people survive despite seriously challenging conditions, trying to make the most of what little resources or relationships they can draw from. They are illiterate, marginalised and for the most part, overlooked. But this is not an insurmountable problem. Many countries have overcome extreme (and moderate) poverty. We too can help our poorest citizens achieve freedom. If we are passionate, committed and strategic, together we can eradicate extreme poverty by 2015.
Khasland for the Poorest – Simplify the Process [English | Bangla] (2011)
Summary: The extreme poor people of Bangladesh suffer because of an ineffi cient system of khasland distribution which deprives them of access to resources that have been committed to them. Shahidul Islam, Director of Uttaran says, “Bangladesh has 3.3 million acres of Khasland and 6-7 million landless households. It is possible to give each landless household 0.50 acres of khasland with which to generate an income and climb out of poverty.” If all of Bangladesh’s khasland is quickly distributed to the extreme poor and if they are supported to make productive use of this land, signifi cant steps towards MDG 1, i.e. – the eradication of extreme poverty can be made. The current land policies are fairly adequate and may not require extensive reform, however the process of applying and attaining the land needs systematic improvement.