AMERMS Workshop 1: Programs Working with the Ultra Poor (PPT by Imran Matin)

The ultra poor are not just poorer than the poor we typically reach with our services…

Ultra poverty is not a continuum but a structural break of deprivation, isolation, indignity, vulnerabilities, and disempowerment.

Less than 10% of the ultra poor join microfinance groups. Over 70% of the moderate poor do.

Regular borrowing and repayment over repeated cycles has been shown to be critical for impact.

The ultra poor are more than 10 times more likely [than the moderate poor] to dropout and not rejoin microfinance.

Good targeting is essential when working with the ultra poor.

This is important to reach the ultra poor but also to establish relationship of trust and fairness with the community.

If we can find the right approach of partnership, the community has a lot to offer in terms of helping the ultra poor.

The program aims to build assets for the assetless ultra poor so that they too can effectively use credit and other financial services.

The program builds the physical asset base by asset transfer as one off grants.

It builds the human asset base

By transferring skills.

By providing health support.

By ensuring that children are immunized and enrolled in schools.

The program also builds socio-political assets.

By organizing.By giving them voice and

representation.By enhancing their ability to aspire.By giving them and their situation visibility.By creating a sense of fierce urgency to act.By empowering them.

Over 80% have been able to sustainably graduate out of extreme poverty after two years of support.

Less than 10% slide back and requires further support.

The benefit is over $4 for every $1 of investment

The graduation package costs just over $200 for a ultra poor family.

BRAC has reached over a million ultra poor families with this approach since

2002.