Assignment Name: Baseline Study on “Improving Living Conditions of Rural and Urban Poor Through Climate-Adaptive and Affordable Housing Technologies and WaSH Interventions in Mymensingh and Jamalpur Districts in Bangladesh”

Country: Bangladesh

Client Name: Habitat for Humanity International, Bangladesh

The “Baseline Study on Improving Living Conditions of Rural and Urban Poor through Climate-Adaptive and Affordable Housing Technologies and WaSH Interventions in Mymensingh and Jamalpur Districts” aimed to establish a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economic and environmental challenges facing vulnerable communities in these areas. The study was a critical component of Habitat for Humanity International-Bangladesh’s three-year project, funded by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), to improve living conditions, enhance resilience, and promote sustainable development through innovative housing and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) interventions.

This study focused on the rural areas of Mymensingh and Jamalpur districts, as well as the urban slums within Mymensingh and Jamalpur municipalities, where residents face acute challenges, including poor housing conditions, inadequate access to safe water and sanitation, and exposure to climate risks. By gathering baseline data, the study provided benchmark indicators to measure project progress and impact against the targets outlined in the Project Design Matrix (PDM).

Key objectives of the baseline study included:

• To provide benchmark information and data as per PDM (Project Design Matrix) indicators for measuring project achievements and impact.
• To assess up-to-date demographic and socio-economic information.
• To provide in-depth indicative information on the community facilities, Climate-SMART housing situation, and WaSH issues.
• To assess the community resilience awareness, WaSH and DRR awareness of the slum dwellers.
• To provide analytical information on the number of civil society/youth/children groups already actively engaged in issues of climate change and WaSH in the slum.
• To provide specific recommendations that will help to review the project activities.

The study adopted a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative household surveys with qualitative tools such as Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRAs). This ensured a holistic understanding of community dynamics, resource availability, and intervention gaps.

Inception and Planning:

• Conducted inception meetings with HFHI-B to clarify study objectives, finalize methodologies, and align timelines with project goals.
• Reviewed relevant project documents, including the Project Design Matrix (PDM) and related reports, to ensure alignment with the project framework.

Tool Development:

• Designed structured questionnaires for quantitative household surveys to capture socio-economic, housing, and WaSH-related indicators.
• Developed guides for FGDs and KIIs to explore qualitative aspects of community practices, institutional challenges, and climate resilience.

Enumerator Training:

• Recruited and trained a team of enumerators and supervisors on data collection protocols, tool usage, and ethical considerations.
• Conducted pilot tests of data collection tools to refine questions and ensure clarity and cultural relevance.

Primary Data Collection:

• Conducted 384 household surveys across the target areas, collecting data on housing conditions, WaSH access, and community vulnerabilities.
• Facilitated 8 FGDs with diverse community groups, including disaster management committees and women’s groups, to gather insights into local challenges and opportunities.
• Conducted 16 KIIs with municipal officials, WaSH experts, and community leaders to capture institutional perspectives on service delivery and policy gaps.

Data Quality Assurance:

• Monitored field activities to ensure accuracy and completeness of data collection.
• Conducted daily reviews of collected data to address inconsistencies and maintain data integrity.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Analyzed quantitative data to establish baseline values for project indicators and identify trends in housing and WaSH access.
• Synthesized qualitative findings to provide context and depth to the quantitative results.
• Aligned findings with the PDM to ensure that the report addressed project-specific indicators and objectives.

Validation and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Organized validation workshops with HFHI-B, local government officials, and community representatives to discuss findings and gather feedback.
• Incorporated stakeholder inputs to refine the final report and recommendations.

Recommendations:

• Proposed actionable strategies to address identified gaps in housing and WaSH services.
• Recommended community-based approaches to enhance climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
• Suggested measures to strengthen local institutional capacities for sustainable service delivery.

Key Deliverables:

• Comprehensive baseline report with data and analysis aligned with the PDM.
• Validation workshop proceedings and stakeholder feedback documentation.
• Recommendations for improving project interventions and long-term sustainability.

This baseline study provided HFHI-B with the foundational data required to implement targeted and impactful housing and WaSH interventions in Mymensingh and Jamalpur. The findings informed evidence-based decision-making and set the stage for measuring project impact over the three-year period.