ASSESSMENT OF VULNERABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE  LIVELIHOOD OF THE URBAN POOR: A STUDY IN KHULNA CITY CORPORATION, SOUTHWEST BANGLADESH

Mosammat Rowshan  Ara

doi:10.53808/KUS.2017.14.1and2.1702-S

Authors

Mosammat Rowshan Ara Sociology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2017.14.1and2.1702-S

Keywords:

Vulnerability, poverty, livelihood, sustainability, natural resource, social resource

Abstract

The study aims to understand the nature of vulnerability of the urban poor in Khulna City. Both qualitative (case study, focus group discussion and observation) and quantitative (survey) methods are used in this study. By using Simple Random Sampling 707 household heads were selected as unit of analysis. Cumulative Vulnerability Index (CVI) has been used to assess the vulnerability. Considering the causes of vulnerability of the respondents seven indicators viz., eviction threats, income, food, number of jobless week, literacy situation, access to health and access to household essentials are used to measure the situation of vulnerability. Here the value of R Square is 0.96. That means aforesaid variables have 96 percent effect on vulnerable situation of the respondents. Among them tenure insecurity (48%), number of jobless week (29%) and food insecurity (23%) are colossal responsible factors. Considering Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) the household earning of BDT 6000 per month has considered as under the poverty line 1 and the household of monthly earning not more than BDT 10000 has considered as moderately poor. More than 69 percent respondents were below the poverty line 1. Health situation is not much vulnerable in the study area. More than 85 percent respondents could receive the treatment at the time of illness. The study shows that natural resource (15%) and social resource (11%) contribute to the reduction of vulnerability and enhancement of the sustainability of the urban poor. Through case study and focus group discussion the study also identifies the alternative employments and strategies such as: agriculture, putting more family members into the work force through small scale business, using kinship as social capital, and establishing community relationships. In this regard positive policy approaches by local authorities can diminish the vulnerability of the poor by responding to their need for security of livelihood.

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