About the project

Partner: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Project duration: Mid-February 2024 – Mid-August 2024.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has strongly contributed to the long-term development of Bangladesh, through its financial and technical assistance in various sectors, and now seeks to extend its support to the social protection sphere of the country. To gain a clear understanding of the current situation of the social security system, they have delegated a team of investigators to visit Bangladesh in two phases. The JICA-commissioned team, with RAPID as their local consultant, will collect the necessary information through rigorous surveys and interviews with key stakeholders, including the Cabinet Division, relevant ministries, different government departments, NGOs, and international development partners as well as the end users of the services under the social protection program. The goal is to devise an effective mid to long-term cooperation plan after thoroughly analysing the latest status, issues of policy and institutional reforms, the support provided by other donors, implementation challenges, and the potential needs of the social protection sector in Bangladesh.

Scope of Work:

• Welfare services for the poor and needy
• Public medical insurance and health care security system
• Measures for an aging society and welfare services for the disabled
• Protection of workers' rights and welfare support system for children

This assignment covers the following activities:

• Arranging multiple key informant interviews with relevant public and private organisations working in the social protection sector in Bangladesh
• Accompanying the JICA commissioned team to the meetings and providing documentation support
• Providing expert advisory services on the Social Protection Sector in Bangladesh
• Conducting surveys in multiple regions of the country and providing data analysis support

Project activities

Stakeholder Meetings on Social Protection

On 5 May 2024, RAPID team, along with the JICA representative, visited Mr. Mohammad Nazmul Ahsan, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare, at the Secretariat. They had a productive follow-up meeting where the team debriefed him regarding JICA’s priority areas of intervention based on the initial research report presented to JICA. Furthermore, they deliberated on collaborative future strategies. The team also visited the Jatiyo Protibonhdi Unnoyon Foundation (National Disability Development Foundation), operating under the Ministry of Social Welfare. They met with the Managing Director, Mohammad Anisuzzaman, and the Deputy Director, Md. Azmul Haque, to gain insights on the complex challenges and needs of the Foundation in service delivery to people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Stakeholder Meetings on Social Protection

On 20 March 2024, RAPID team, represented by members from JICA, conducted an interview with Ms Rowsan Ara Begum, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs (MoWCA) and her team at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy. The primary purpose of the key informant interview was to understand and identify critical areas under the Ministry that require support to effectively strengthen the welfare of the vulnerable Women and Children in Bangladesh. The team was led by Dr M Abu Eusuf, Executive Director, RAPID.

Stakeholder Meetings on Social Protection

On 14 March 2024, RAPID team, along with the JICA-commissioned team, conducted a visit to a One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) under the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. The purpose of the visit was to gain insights into the range of services offered at the center for women and children, as well as to gather pertinent statistics. Additionally, the teams explored the Labour Welfare Center to assess the available amenities for laborers, including healthcare services provided within these centers.

Stakeholder Meetings on Social Protection

On 7 March 2024, RAPID team along with the JICA commissioned team met with Mr. Mohammad Khaled Hasan, the Joint Secretary, Cabinet Division and his team at the Paribahan Pool Bhaban. The purpose of the KII was to get an overview of the social security system in Bangladesh, the pressing challenges and the needs of different ministries implementing the social protection programs in Bangladesh. On the same day the teams visited the National Disability Development Foundation and the Neuro-Developmental Disability Protection Trust to comprehensively understand the range of services offered to the people with special needs, the gaps and challenges in service delivery.

Stakeholder Meetings on Social Protection

On 5 March 2024, RAPID team, in collaboration with the JICA commissioned team, carried out a series of visits to Upazila Social Service Offices. The objective was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricate challenges encountered by the frontline implementers of social protection programs at the grassroots level in Bangladesh.

Stakeholder Meetings on Social Protection

On the 3 March 2024, RAPID team along with the JICA delegates conducted an interview with Dr. Moktar Hossain, Director of the Department of Social Services (DSS), Ministry of Social Welfare. The team was led by Dr M Abu Eusuf, Executive Director, RAPID. The main objective of the interview was to gain insights into the challenges encountered by the Department concerning resources, skills, and policy support.