Assignment Name: Baseline Study of PROYASH-II (An Urban Risk Reduction Project)

Country: Bangladesh

Client Name: Save the Children

The “Baseline Study of PROYASH-II (An Urban Risk Reduction Project)” was conducted as part of Save the Children’s efforts to enhance disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in urban slum communities across Dhaka, Savar, and Chattogram. The project, funded by C&A Foundation, aimed to increase the preparedness and resilience of these communities, with a particular focus on women, children, and institutional stakeholders. It was designed to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanization, environmental vulnerabilities, and socio-economic inequalities in densely populated informal settlements.

Key objectives of the PROYASH-II included:

• Enhancing capacities of women, children, and government institutions to contribute to urban resilience in informal settlements.
• Scaling up and institutionalizing Comprehensive School Safety (CSS), DRR, and Education in Emergencies (EiE) into primary and secondary education.
• Integrating women and children’s issues into urban resilience planning and steering policy advocacy through evidence-based approaches.

The baseline study sought to establish baseline values for project indicators and provide an evidence base to monitor and evaluate the project’s impact. It also aimed to identify gaps in DRR and CCA services, evaluate community practices, and analyze institutional capacities to enhance urban resilience effectively.

The overall objective of this baseline study was to generate baseline value, both quantitative and qualitative, as benchmarks for the project’s monitoring and evaluation and provide an understanding of the present situation of urban DRR and CCA situation which can support in reducing risk and vulnerability in the project area.

Specific objectives of the baseline included:

• To identify the benchmarks for project’s intended outcomes, against a set of indicators as stipulated in the log frame
• To provide information for setting realistic and achievable targets for the project period
• To identify the institutional capacity and gaps to minimize the quality DRR & CCA services in given district
• To identify the key contextual factors and understanding of the situation in the intervention areas
• To assess the current status of DRR & CCA services/situation in project location and quality of these services

The baseline study employed a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. It covered aspects such as community vulnerabilities, institutional gaps, and the current status of DRR and CCA services, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the urban risk landscape. The findings were used to guide project implementation, policy advocacy, and the integration of DRR and CCA into urban planning and education systems.

DM WATCH provided the following services:

Project Planning and Coordination:

• Reviewed project documents, policy papers, and annual reports to understand the project framework and align the study objectives with the project’s goals.
• Conducted inception meetings with Save the Children to finalize the study’s objectives, methodology, and deliverables.
• Prepared a detailed inception report, including a comprehensive work plan, methodology, and data collection tools, in both English and Bangla.

Tool Development:

• Designed structured questionnaires for quantitative household surveys, ensuring alignment with the project’s log-frame indicators.
• Developed guides for Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) to capture qualitative data on community practices, institutional capacities, and service gaps.

Training and Capacity Building:

• Conducted a two-day training session for 18 enumerators and 6 research assistants on data collection protocols, ethical considerations, and the use of digital tools.
• Organized pilot testing of tools to ensure reliability and contextual appropriateness.

Data Collection:

• Conducted 640 household surveys across Dhaka, Savar, and Chattogram to gather quantitative data on socio-economic vulnerabilities, access to DRR services, and community resilience.
• Facilitated 12 FGDs with community members, disaster management committees, and local leaders to understand everyday risks, vulnerabilities, and practices.
• Conducted 25 KIIs with key stakeholders, including city corporation officials, urban planners, educators, and civil society representatives.

Data Quality Assurance:

• Implemented a rigorous quality control process, including spot checks, back checks, and daily reviews of collected data, to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Utilized digital tools such as tablets with KoBoToolbox for real-time data entry and GPS tracking to enhance data reliability.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Analyzed quantitative data using statistical software to establish baseline values for project indicators and identify key trends.
• Conducted thematic analysis of qualitative data to provide deeper insights into community practices, institutional gaps, and service delivery challenges.
• Integrated findings into a structured baseline report, aligning with the project’s log frame and objectives.

Validation and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Organized validation workshops with Save the Children staff and other stakeholders to present preliminary findings and incorporate feedback.
• Provided a detailed PowerPoint presentation summarizing findings, key insights, and recommendations.

Recommendations:

• Suggested actionable strategies to address gaps in DRR and CCA services.
• Recommended measures for institutional capacity building, community engagement, and integration of DRR into urban planning and education frameworks.

Key Deliverables:

• A detailed inception report with finalized methodology and tools.
• Quantitative and qualitative data sets, including household survey results, FGD transcripts, and KII summaries.
• Comprehensive baseline report, including findings, indicator benchmarks, and actionable recommendations.
• Validation workshop proceedings and stakeholder feedback documentation.
• PowerPoint presentation highlighting key findings and recommendations.

This baseline study provided critical insights into the vulnerabilities and resilience capacities of urban slum communities in Dhaka, Savar, and Chattogram, offering a robust foundation for the implementation and monitoring of PROYASH-II’s urban risk reduction initiatives.