North-West Bangladesh Ultra Poverty Initiative Project (NUPIP)

The project will support NUPIP beneficiaries to attain income generating skills to meet the needs of their family and move out of ultra-poverty, including the ability to afford daily expenses and children’s education, and increased networks to access local resources. Beneficiaries are able to maintain personal hygiene and Prevention of Disability (POD) activities, and are provided assistive devices for existing disabilities, improving their health and quality of life. Beneficiaries are members of Self Help Groups that support them with monitoring self-care practices, regular savings, awareness of their rights, and empowerment to access local resources and participate in community activities. Through linkages created with government and NGO service providers, beneficiaries have to access mainstream social safety net benefits, Water and Sanitation Program latrines, food security and health related services.

During the first year of the current phase of NUPIP project, 72 people with disability due to leprosy or LF were provided with Income Generating Activity (IGA) training and grant. They were supported in building their IGA activities and making profit. During the first year, 32% of the members graduated from the Ultra Poverty Line and 78% of the members had increased household income. In addition, 94% of the members are involved in a self-help group, and 96% of the members are practicing self-care required to manage their disability and health status (compared to 0% in baseline). Almost all of the members and their family members (91%) wash their hands with soap before eating, a significant increase from a baseline of only 3%. In addition to IGA support from NUPIP, 96% of the beneficiaries received short-term safety net service from the government, and 21% of target members received long-term safety net service for either disability, widow, or old-age pension.