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Investigating Social Vulnerability in Community-Based Poverty Monitoring
in Sri LankaAuthored byAuthored by
Hartmut Fuenfgeld, Siri Hettige, Hartmut Fuenfgeld, Siri Hettige,
Markus Mayer and Sonali Senaratne-SellamuttuMarkus Mayer and Sonali Senaratne-Sellamuttu
forfor
Institute for Policy Studies (IPS)Institute for Policy Studies (IPS)
in collaboration within collaboration with
Improving Capacities for Poverty & Social Policy Improving Capacities for Poverty & Social Policy Research (IMCAP)Research (IMCAP) Program – University of ColomboProgram – University of Colombo
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Introduction This paper shares some critical This paper shares some critical
reflections on the experiences of using reflections on the experiences of using qualitative methods for the purposes of qualitative methods for the purposes of CBPM in Sri Lanka.CBPM in Sri Lanka.
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Extending and Intensifying CBPM Methodology Quantitative research methodologies cannot fully Quantitative research methodologies cannot fully
apprehend complex social, cultural and political apprehend complex social, cultural and political dimensions of poverty at the micro-leveldimensions of poverty at the micro-level
Qualitative research methodologies can provide Qualitative research methodologies can provide the necessary deeper insights to important poverty the necessary deeper insights to important poverty factors such as vulnerability, social exclusion, factors such as vulnerability, social exclusion, conflict related aspects of poverty or lack of social conflict related aspects of poverty or lack of social and political participation and civil rightsand political participation and civil rights
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Policy Challenges for CBMS
Besides including the community for data Besides including the community for data collection, CBMS can also provide opportunities collection, CBMS can also provide opportunities to identify new indicators for poverty that – rather to identify new indicators for poverty that – rather than merely pointing out to an increase or decrease than merely pointing out to an increase or decrease of poverty within a given community, region or of poverty within a given community, region or country – are able to uncover the underlying country – are able to uncover the underlying factors and processes that drive people into factors and processes that drive people into poverty, keep them in poverty, or help them to poverty, keep them in poverty, or help them to move out of povertymove out of poverty
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Important aspects to include into CBMS: Quality and impact of different coping strategiesQuality and impact of different coping strategies Economic, social, cultural and political Economic, social, cultural and political
relationship structures of the poorrelationship structures of the poor
(incl. relations between the poor and the non-poor)(incl. relations between the poor and the non-poor) Local concepts of well-being (sensitive towards Local concepts of well-being (sensitive towards
gender, age, ethnicity etc.), focusing also on gaps gender, age, ethnicity etc.), focusing also on gaps between aspirations and opportunitiesbetween aspirations and opportunities
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Vulnerability Approach:process character of poverty understanding factors that not only limit people’s understanding factors that not only limit people’s
ability for basic survival but also reduce their ability for basic survival but also reduce their available options for a livelihood appropriate to available options for a livelihood appropriate to their individual needs and aspirationstheir individual needs and aspirations
understanding contradictions between social understanding contradictions between social expectations, individual aspirations and human expectations, individual aspirations and human needs: capabilities or “freedoms” (SEN) of a needs: capabilities or “freedoms” (SEN) of a person to achieve different lifestylesperson to achieve different lifestyles
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Analytical Framework for the Assessment of Life Chances
EXPOSURE
Ecology Economy Politics
“crisis” restructuring“ “new order”
pressure on mismatch between structures of potential environmental education and social dominance restrictions
resources employment (external side)
Space of Life Chances (Psychosocial Well-Being)
self-esteem and scope for capabilities for potential cultural practices individual the formation of enhancements Initiatives public action (internal side)
"new identities" "transitions" "empowerment"
Identity Social Human Rights Formation Integration Recognition
RESISTANCE
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Dimensions of AnalysisPolitical
Social
Economical
Cultural
Ecological
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CBMS Locations in Sri Lanka
Urban Sector (Colombo District)Urban Sector (Colombo District) Rural Sector (Hambantota District)Rural Sector (Hambantota District) Estate Sector (Nureliya District)Estate Sector (Nureliya District) ““Conflict” Sector (Batticaloa District)Conflict” Sector (Batticaloa District)
for pilot research and approach developmentfor pilot research and approach development
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Qualitative Research Methods
Semi-structured interviews with key Semi-structured interviews with key informantsinformants
Focus group discussions Focus group discussions Participatory tools (e.g. mapping, wealth Participatory tools (e.g. mapping, wealth
ranking)ranking)
University graduates with social science University graduates with social science background acted as external facilitatorsbackground acted as external facilitators
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In-depth interviews
Selection of 16 households with different poverty Selection of 16 households with different poverty dynamic – characteristics:dynamic – characteristics:
always pooralways poor always better off always better off earlier poor, now better offearlier poor, now better off earlier better off, now poorearlier better off, now poor
Interviews with different household membersInterviews with different household members(at least 3 – gender & age differentiated)(at least 3 – gender & age differentiated)
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Case-Study 1:Kalametiya, Hambantota Kalametiya is a coastal lagoon system on the Kalametiya is a coastal lagoon system on the
southern coastline of Sri Lankasouthern coastline of Sri Lanka It is considered to be one of the most It is considered to be one of the most
economically disadvantaged areas in the countryeconomically disadvantaged areas in the country The villages selected were entirely Sinhalese, but The villages selected were entirely Sinhalese, but
with different occupational patterns: fishing with different occupational patterns: fishing (lagoon and sea), farming (paddy), and cattle (lagoon and sea), farming (paddy), and cattle rearingrearing
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Kalametiya: conflict background
Located within the site of two violent youth Located within the site of two violent youth insurgencies in Sri Lanka 1971 and 1987 - 1991insurgencies in Sri Lanka 1971 and 1987 - 1991
The brutal breakdown of the second insurgency by The brutal breakdown of the second insurgency by
the government left 40,000 to 60,000 youth in the government left 40,000 to 60,000 youth in Southern Sri Lanka dead or missing Southern Sri Lanka dead or missing
Subsequently highly politicized area and still a Subsequently highly politicized area and still a stronghold of the party that led the insurgencies in stronghold of the party that led the insurgencies in the pastthe past
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Findings: Kalametiya
Extensive dependence on natural resource Extensive dependence on natural resource livelihoodslivelihoods
Strong link between environmental changes Strong link between environmental changes and poverty processesand poverty processes
Poverty has been compounded by changes Poverty has been compounded by changes in the lagoon ecology due to human in the lagoon ecology due to human interventions over the past three decadesinterventions over the past three decades
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Cause and Effect of Lagoon Ecology Alteration: Kalametiya
Upstream Irrigation Interventions
Infrastructure Construction
Lagoon ecology altered: decrease in fishing population
´´ The income I obtain from lagoon fishing is much lower today than what it was in the past. I now only
make Rs 100.00 or Rs 150.00 per day. The main reason for this is the decrease in the numbers of fish
found in the lagoon.´´
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Social Impact of Changes in the Natural Resource Management Tensions between different occupational Tensions between different occupational
communities (linked to caste issues) on the communities (linked to caste issues) on the utilization of water (farmers vs. fishermen)utilization of water (farmers vs. fishermen)
Increased competition within the marine Increased competition within the marine fishing sector with poorer members of the fishing sector with poorer members of the community being increasingly marginalized community being increasingly marginalized due to lack of investment options into new due to lack of investment options into new technologies technologies
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Coping Mechanism of Fisherpeople: Kalametiya Diversification of livelihoods is the most Diversification of livelihoods is the most
important coping strategyimportant coping strategy Diversification methods differ in Diversification methods differ in
chronically poor households from upwardly chronically poor households from upwardly mobile householdsmobile households
Poorer households appear to depend on Poorer households appear to depend on only one unskilled earner, engaged in casual only one unskilled earner, engaged in casual labor work in the agricultural sectorlabor work in the agricultural sector
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Coping Mechanisms of the Upwardly Mobile: Kalametiya In upwardly mobile households, members In upwardly mobile households, members
distribute the risk, with different earners distribute the risk, with different earners engaging in different sectorsengaging in different sectors
This is mainly possible because the This is mainly possible because the households have invested in human capital households have invested in human capital and have at least one skilled earners (e.g. and have at least one skilled earners (e.g. with knowledge on computer technology)with knowledge on computer technology)
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Migration as Coping Mechanism: Kalametiya Other ways of coping with vulnerable Other ways of coping with vulnerable
situations include going or sending women situations include going or sending women from the household to work abroad, mainly from the household to work abroad, mainly to the Middle Eastto the Middle East
This is sometimes successful for upward This is sometimes successful for upward mobility but not alwaysmobility but not always
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Findings: Kalametiya
´´I went to the middle east as a housemaid in ´´I went to the middle east as a housemaid in January 2002 as the income from lagoon fishing January 2002 as the income from lagoon fishing was far from sufficient. Unfortunately all the was far from sufficient. Unfortunately all the money I had sent to my husband to build our money I had sent to my husband to build our house he had spent on entertaining friends and house he had spent on entertaining friends and other unnecessary things.´´other unnecessary things.´´
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Coping Mechanisms of the Poor: Kalametiya Most chronically poor households could Most chronically poor households could
not afford to send people abroad or invest in not afford to send people abroad or invest in human capitalhuman capital
As a result they coped byAs a result they coped by skipping a meal skipping a meal substituting cheaper foods for staplessubstituting cheaper foods for staples buying on creditbuying on credit
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Greater Vulnerability: Kalametiya This often meant that poor households This often meant that poor households
suffered more from illness and malnutrition suffered more from illness and malnutrition and from the danger of falling into deeper and from the danger of falling into deeper debt.debt.
This increased their vulnerability as illness This increased their vulnerability as illness impacted on earning potential (“body as impacted on earning potential (“body as main asset”)main asset”)
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Social Networks: Kalametiya
Chronically poor households could also be Chronically poor households could also be marked by the lack of functioning social marked by the lack of functioning social networks and relationshipsnetworks and relationships
In many cases, friends and relatives In many cases, friends and relatives were equally poorwere equally poor lived far away orlived far away or were in conflict with the householdwere in conflict with the household
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Constraints to escape poverty:
Besides old age and chronic ill-health, community Besides old age and chronic ill-health, community members identified members identified alcoholismalcoholism as the key as the key constraint of improving a families livelihood constraint of improving a families livelihood
Addiction to alcohol of households heads was Addiction to alcohol of households heads was explained as a vicious cycle that leads to a explained as a vicious cycle that leads to a breakdown of family life and well-being and breakdown of family life and well-being and wastes most of the income of poor householdswastes most of the income of poor households
Alcoholism also contributes significantly to Alcoholism also contributes significantly to domestic conflict and violence, mostly targeting domestic conflict and violence, mostly targeting wives and sometimes also childrenwives and sometimes also children
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Political and Social Institutions: Kalametiya Local government and NGOs are perceived to be Local government and NGOs are perceived to be
corrupted and politicizedcorrupted and politicized Links with state and NGO officials were helpful Links with state and NGO officials were helpful
only if people were themselves with influence only if people were themselves with influence (“political capital”)(“political capital”)
High degree of frustration among poor without High degree of frustration among poor without political contacts or “investments” into the wrong political contacts or “investments” into the wrong party members who didn’t win the electionparty members who didn’t win the election
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Human and Social Capital:“Investment risks” ““The education only benefits the rich people. The poor, The education only benefits the rich people. The poor,
having spent years for a degree, have to wait at home for a having spent years for a degree, have to wait at home for a job. job. This happens because most of the jobs are under mani-This happens because most of the jobs are under mani-pulation of the government. People without educational pulation of the government. People without educational qualifications are sitting in high positions and spoiling the qualifications are sitting in high positions and spoiling the institutions.institutions.” (Youth, male, 27 yrs., A/L educated)” (Youth, male, 27 yrs., A/L educated)
““Sri Lankan culture is such that it does not view self-Sri Lankan culture is such that it does not view self-employment as employment. It should not be like that. In employment as employment. It should not be like that. In marriage the male is required to have a stable job in the marriage the male is required to have a stable job in the public or private sector; self-employment does not count public or private sector; self-employment does not count very much to people” (Youth, male, 22 yrs., A/L)very much to people” (Youth, male, 22 yrs., A/L)
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Politicization of Everyday Life
Resource allocation and distribution under control Resource allocation and distribution under control of national government ministers and MP’sof national government ministers and MP’s
Village communities divided along political Village communities divided along political alliances with no independent “entitlement alliances with no independent “entitlement perception” (with “winners” taking revenge)perception” (with “winners” taking revenge)
Victimization experiences in the past, especially Victimization experiences in the past, especially among those without political protection, among those without political protection, strengthens the above processesstrengthens the above processes
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Case-Study 2: Batticaloa District
Largest coastal lagoon ecosystem in the Largest coastal lagoon ecosystem in the countrycountry
20 years of ethnic war in this region has 20 years of ethnic war in this region has seriously depleted the resources and seriously depleted the resources and infrastructure with severe economic impacts infrastructure with severe economic impacts on the people on the people
A Tamil village and a Muslim village were A Tamil village and a Muslim village were chosen for the studychosen for the study
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Batticaloa: Conflict Background
A Ceasefire Agreement signed in 2002 has A Ceasefire Agreement signed in 2002 has brought some relief after almost 20 years of brought some relief after almost 20 years of active armed conflict active armed conflict
The lagoon is still highly politically and The lagoon is still highly politically and militarily contested areamilitarily contested area
There is ongoing and increasing There is ongoing and increasing polarization between Tamils and Muslimspolarization between Tamils and Muslims
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Findings: Batticaloa
All households were entirely or partly All households were entirely or partly dependent on the lagoon for their income, dependent on the lagoon for their income, using simple methods such as cast or gill using simple methods such as cast or gill nets and fish trapsnets and fish traps
Regular flooding during the rainy season Regular flooding during the rainy season created economical hardship as well as ill-created economical hardship as well as ill-health due to poor drainage systemshealth due to poor drainage systems
Ethnic conflict creates additional hardshipsEthnic conflict creates additional hardships
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Security and the Lagoon: Batticaloa There has been open access to the lagoon There has been open access to the lagoon
only after the Ceasefire Agreement 2002only after the Ceasefire Agreement 2002 This is mainly for Tamils as Muslims This is mainly for Tamils as Muslims
cannot easily access the part of the lagoon cannot easily access the part of the lagoon coming under the LTTE-controlled areascoming under the LTTE-controlled areas
Additionally, continuing security concerns Additionally, continuing security concerns keeps both community near shore where keeps both community near shore where fish supplies are depleted fish supplies are depleted
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Impact of the Conflict on Livelihoods: Batticaloa The conflict has destroyed former means of The conflict has destroyed former means of
livelihoods (e.g. cattle rearing) of many familieslivelihoods (e.g. cattle rearing) of many families As a result of lost livelihoods, many families have As a result of lost livelihoods, many families have
taken up fishing from the lagoon as the only taken up fishing from the lagoon as the only available survival strategyavailable survival strategy
The increase in the fisher community has led to The increase in the fisher community has led to the lagoon being over fished and subsequent the lagoon being over fished and subsequent ecological changesecological changes
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Impacts of Increased Fishing: Batticaloa Increased competition between fisher Increased competition between fisher
people causes frequent quarrels and fights, people causes frequent quarrels and fights, leading to growing tension within the leading to growing tension within the communitycommunity
There is increased theft and sabotage within There is increased theft and sabotage within the fisher community (perpetuated through the fisher community (perpetuated through the lack of consistent law and order)the lack of consistent law and order)
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Lack of Diversification and Other Opportunities: Batticaloa Most people noted that there appeared to be Most people noted that there appeared to be
few alternatives to their current livelihoods, few alternatives to their current livelihoods, leading to poor income securityleading to poor income security
The ongoing insecurity in the region makes The ongoing insecurity in the region makes it difficult to establish new industriesit difficult to establish new industries
Additionally, access to natural resources is Additionally, access to natural resources is still controlled by the LTTE or armystill controlled by the LTTE or army
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Coping Mechanisms of the Poor: Batticaloa The main coping mechanism in Batticaloa The main coping mechanism in Batticaloa
was to go or send women to work as was to go or send women to work as domestic aides in the Middle Eastdomestic aides in the Middle East
Almost all families who had managed to Almost all families who had managed to maintain or improve their livelihood relied maintain or improve their livelihood relied on the returns of one or more temporary on the returns of one or more temporary migrantsmigrants
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Challenges to coping: Batticaloa
Many families had no credit worthiness (no Many families had no credit worthiness (no land title or physical assets) to obtain land title or physical assets) to obtain financial credit, even if sources for financial financial credit, even if sources for financial capital were available capital were available
Successful self-employment or small-scale Successful self-employment or small-scale business activities also increased the danger business activities also increased the danger of taxation and jealousyof taxation and jealousy
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Social Vulnerability and Conflict
Disruption of social relations as a source of Disruption of social relations as a source of support and copingsupport and coping
Loss of social status and networks through death Loss of social status and networks through death of a family member, separation, displacement etc.of a family member, separation, displacement etc.
Communal mistrust and lack of social cohesion Communal mistrust and lack of social cohesion due to perceived or real lack of consistent law and due to perceived or real lack of consistent law and order order
Sense of fatalism and reluctance of people to Sense of fatalism and reluctance of people to invest in permanent community structuresinvest in permanent community structures
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CHALLENGES
How can the qualitative findings be translated into How can the qualitative findings be translated into a quantitative survey questionnaire for CBPM?a quantitative survey questionnaire for CBPM?
What kind of information should be collected by What kind of information should be collected by whom?whom?
Which are the best forms of institutionalizing Which are the best forms of institutionalizing CBPM in the Sri Lankan context?CBPM in the Sri Lankan context?
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Lessons learnt More accurate information can be obtained on More accurate information can be obtained on
social networks and intra-household or intra-social networks and intra-household or intra-community relationships (including conflicts) by community relationships (including conflicts) by community based researcherscommunity based researchers
Qualitative findings can help to design good Qualitative findings can help to design good survey questions (e.g. taking different concepts survey questions (e.g. taking different concepts and meanings of conflict into consideration)and meanings of conflict into consideration)
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Challenges to CBPM (contd.)
People were reluctant to provide details about People were reluctant to provide details about income, food consumption patterns, and income, food consumption patterns, and information on particular health problems to information on particular health problems to community-based researcherscommunity-based researchers
Need to either identify appropriate enumerators Need to either identify appropriate enumerators (e.g. health workers) and/ or to develop more (e.g. health workers) and/ or to develop more indirect questions (e.g. degree of satisfaction with indirect questions (e.g. degree of satisfaction with income level)income level)
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Challenges to CBPM (contd.)
Actual and perceived impartiality of the Actual and perceived impartiality of the community based researcher is difficult to community based researcher is difficult to guaranteeguarantee
Political activity, belonging to influential groups Political activity, belonging to influential groups or particular family histories can compromise or particular family histories can compromise perceived impartialityperceived impartiality
Local government bodies were also seen as Local government bodies were also seen as politicized, however they were given in many politicized, however they were given in many instances more legitimacy than local NGO’sinstances more legitimacy than local NGO’s
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Challenges to CBPM (cont.)
Bringing different stakeholders together for Bringing different stakeholders together for community based data collectioncommunity based data collection
Ensuring role of a facilitator to initiate the Ensuring role of a facilitator to initiate the process and to assist in the analysis, process and to assist in the analysis, interpretation and valididation of datainterpretation and valididation of data
Linking data collection to activities that Linking data collection to activities that have a visible benefit to the communityhave a visible benefit to the community
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Institutionalization of CBPM in Sri LankaUndiscovered role of educated youth:Undiscovered role of educated youth: Long waiting period for A-level or University degree Long waiting period for A-level or University degree
resultsresults Many youth stay at home while applying for jobsMany youth stay at home while applying for jobs CBPM training programs facilitated by the CBPM training programs facilitated by the
Universities in collaboration with Local Government Universities in collaboration with Local Government institutions for youth:institutions for youth:- additional qualifications- additional qualifications- improved social recognition- improved social recognition
YOUTH CORPS IDEAYOUTH CORPS IDEA
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0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Un-employed 33 32 38 43 37 34 36 44 48 21 37 23 32 32 39 43
Cont. Educ. 24 27 26 31 20 22 24 32 30 41 33 33 30 27 20 23
Colombo
Gampaha
Kalutara
Kandy
Matale
N'Eliya
GaleMata
raH'tot
aJaffna
B'coloa
Ampara
Trinco
K'gala
Puttalam
A'pura
National Youth Survey 2000
CBPM, Sri Lanka 49
Thank you for your attention
The end!The end!