Assessing the Frontiers of Ultra-Poverty Reduction: Evidence from CFPR/TUP, An Innovative Program in Bangladesh

52 Pages Posted: 6 Mar 2009 Last revised: 29 Aug 2014

See all articles by M. Shahe Emran

M. Shahe Emran

George Washington University - Department of Economics

Virginia Robano

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)

Stephen C. Smith

George Washington University - Department of Economics

Date Written: March 5, 2009

Abstract

This paper uses household panel data to provide robust evidence on the effects of BRAC's Targeting the Ultra-poor Program in Bangladesh. Our identification strategy exploits type-1 errors in assignment, comparing households correctly included with those incorrectly excluded, according to program criteria. Evidence from difference-in-difference matching and sensitivity analysis shows that participation had significant positive effects on income, food security, household durables, and livestock, but no robust impact on health, ownership of homestead land, housing quality and other productive assets. Using quantile difference-in-difference, we find that the income gains from program participation is smaller for the lowest two deciles.

Keywords: Ultra-poor, CFPR/TUP, BRAC, Bangladesh, Assignment Error, Difference-in-Difference, Matching, Quantile

JEL Classification: O1, I3

Suggested Citation

Emran, M. Shahe and Robano, Virginia and Smith, Stephen C., Assessing the Frontiers of Ultra-Poverty Reduction: Evidence from CFPR/TUP, An Innovative Program in Bangladesh (March 5, 2009). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1354158 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1354158

M. Shahe Emran (Contact Author)

George Washington University - Department of Economics ( email )

2115 G Street NW
302 Monroe Hall
Washington, DC 20052
United States

Virginia Robano

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) ( email )

2 rue Andre Pascal
Paris Cedex 16, 75775
France

Stephen C. Smith

George Washington University - Department of Economics ( email )

2115 G Street NW
306 Monroe Hall
Washington, DC 20052
United States

HOME PAGE: http://https://www2.gwu.edu/~iiep/about/faculty/ssmith/

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