Recent study explores poverty’s impact on urban residents in low-income areas

On 25 October 2023, Dr Keetie Roelen – Senior Research Fellow and CSGD Co-Deputy Director, presented research findings in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from a recent study on the experiences of the urban poor of insecurity, inadequate assistance and area-based discrimination.

The workshop titled “Poverty Transitions and Social Protection: Experiences of and Attitudes Towards Urban Poverty” was organised by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University, in collaboration with the Institute of Development Studies and CSGD. The workshop presented the findings and recommendations of a study conducted under the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)’s Covid-19 Learning, Evidence and Research Program (CLEAR).

The study highlighted high levels of insecurity among residents living in low-income areas, the impact of poverty on mental health, experiences of discrimination and inadequate social protection support. The workshop brought together a diverse group of more than 40 participants, including representatives from government, NGOs, and UN agencies. Speakers at the workshop discussed how the poverty rate in Bangladesh had increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in urban areas. Rising commodity prices and high inflation rates have further exacerbated socio-economic uncertainty.

It was emphasised that social protection is essential to deal with the impact of this type of crisis and to protect families from uncertainty.  Recommendations such as increasing the scope of social protection programs in urban areas, preventing discrimination against residents of low-income areas of the city, ensuring dignified distribution of assistance and undertaking integrated policy initiatives also came up in the discussion.

In closing, Marziana Mahfuz Nandita, Economic Adviser of FCDO, highlighted the importance of this work, especially appreciating how the research had provided insight into the negative mental health consequences of poverty and crises and the need to continue work on strengthening the identification of beneficiaries.