Participatory Vulnerability Mapping

This process aims to efficiently identify the most poor and vulnerable wards or villages with minimal data and resources. The project defines "poor" as the lowest two wealth quintiles as described in the 2015-16 DHS or using a simplified "equity tool," while "vulnerable" is defined as those people or areas that are at a higher risk for negative events or outcomes when compared to the general population. To determine the cutoff level for identifying "poor and vulnerable," the project considers the project scope, interventions, resources, and duration. For the Essential Health project, villages in rural areas and wards in urban areas are the agreed cutoff levels for identifying "poor and vulnerable." This decision is based on the project's scope, activities, resources, and duration. The project also decides on the number or percentage of geographic areas to be considered, which should be based on the project's scope, resources, targets, and theory of change. In the Essential Health project, 30% of villages in rural areas and 30% of wards in urban areas will be the minimum percentage of poor and vulnerable communities to be identified. Basic demographic and health information is gathered to assist decision-makers in identifying vulnerable villages and wards. This information may include demographic data, infrastructure, coverage, macro maps, epidemic data, and other relevant information. Stakeholder mapping is also a critical step in this process, where 20 to 25 key stakeholders from each township are identified to provide input and guidance. The participatory vulnerability mapping activity is a two-day process that includes vulnerability mapping, verification, and agreement. A minimum of five facilitators and 25-30 stakeholders are required for this workshop, which requires proper preparation and logistics. The workshop agenda includes introducing the agenda and objective, seeking participants' willingness to participate, and dividing the group into smaller groups to rank wards based on vulnerability. The project's definition of "poor and vulnerable" is based on various parameters, including economic status, urban slums, migratory populations, limited access to health services, low MNCH services coverage, higher numbers of maternal or children under five deaths, epidemics, frequently flooded areas, poor basic supplies, and poor housing conditions. These parameters are used to guide the team in the participatory vulnerability mapping activity. The Essential Health project aims to facilitate "cross-pollination" of best practices to the remaining 70% villages in rural areas and prioritize and decide on the level of effort in non-focus communities in urban areas based on project resources and feasibility. The project's participatory vulnerability mapping process is a critical component of its efforts to identify and address the needs of the most poor and vulnerable populations in the township.