Maintains - shock-responsive social protection systems to aid Bangladesh

Maintains research in Bangladesh is informing the development of shock-responsive social protection systems. There is consistent evidence from Bangladesh of the tight and mutually reinforcing nexus between poverty, vulnerability, and exposure to shocks. Explore all our latest research in Bangladesh here.

The country is susceptible to a range of hazards and shocks which hit poor people hardest, as they have uncertain and insecure livelihoods, fewer resources and often live in the most exposed and vulnerable areas.

Well-designed social protection systems are proven to support vulnerable people during crises, but currently only 32% of vulnerable households in Bangladesh have access to such systems. To help build the resilience of poorer households before and after shocks, the Government of Bangladesh is committed to expanding social protection coverage.

People fleeing violence in Burma are provided with UK aid in Bangladesh. Credit: DFID — **People fleeing violence in Myanmar are provided with UK aid in Bangladesh.**
Credit: DFID

Download the to read an overview of our work there.

Research focus for Bangladesh

Social protection:

How can formal and informal social protection systems become more shock-responsive?

Maintains is exploring historical evidence on the roles government, civil society, communities, and the private sector can play in delivering different forms of social protection
The programme is undertaking field work in four locations to explore how this works in practice, considering a range of operational issues (such as what data is used, how systems are targeted, and how delivery can be optimised and dovetailed with complementary programmes and services)
Finally, Maintains is facilitating transformational labs with key stakeholders to address key challenges and find solutions that are technically and politically feasible.

For this research, Maintains is working directly with the Government of Bangladesh, FCDO, and other development partners to evolve and adapt existing programmes and systems, as well as encouraging innovative approaches to both the programming and financing that underpin current social protection approaches.