Midline Study for “Strengthening Community Preparedness, Rapid Response, and Recovery in Bangladesh”

Client: Oxfam in Bangladesh
Duration: June 2025 – August 2025
Location: 12 Communities in Barishal, Gaibandha, and Barguna Districts, Bangladesh
Assignment Type: Midline Study
Contract Value: BDT 999,948.00 (inclusive of VAT and Tax)

Project Overview

Commissioned by Oxfam in Bangladesh under the ACT II initiative, the Midline Study for “Strengthening Community Preparedness, Rapid Response, and Recovery in Bangladesh” assessed the progress and effectiveness of ongoing disaster risk reduction interventions across 12 disaster-prone communities in Barishal, Gaibandha, and Barguna districts.

The study evaluated changes since the baseline in community preparedness, institutional capacity of Union Disaster Management Committees (UDMCs), inclusivity in local disaster governance, and the functionality of key preparedness mechanisms such as food banks, fodder banks, early warning systems, and plinth-raising initiatives. Special emphasis was placed on the participation and benefits for women, youth, and people with disabilities, ensuring alignment with national disaster management frameworks and inclusive resilience principles.

Services Provided by ART Lab

Advanced Research Thoughts Lab Ltd. (ART Lab) conducted a comprehensive mixed-method midline study to measure progress against baseline benchmarks and support adaptive project management. Key activities included:

Document Review and Study Design

• Reviewed baseline findings, project progress reports, and national DRR policies.

• Developed an integrated midline evaluation framework combining quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Tool Development and Pre-testing

• Designed and refined household survey and qualitative tools aligned with project indicators.

• Conducted pre-testing to ensure reliability, validity, and contextual relevance.

Quantitative Data Collection

• Conducted household surveys with 295 respondents across Barishal, Gaibandha, and Barguna.

• Collected data on disaster preparedness, early warning response, livelihood resilience, and inclusivity outcomes.

Qualitative Data Collection

• Facilitated 12 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with community members, youth groups, and DRR committees.

• Conducted 12 In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) with UDMC members and key stakeholders.

• Completed 6 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with UzDMC representatives and civil society actors, along with 3 meetings with Community Social Organizations (CSOs).

Field Observation and Validation

• Conducted direct observations of project interventions, including food banks, fodder banks, and plinth-raising activities.

• Validated findings through community-level cross-checking and engagement with local authorities.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Cleaned and analyzed quantitative data using Stata 17.0.

• Conducted thematic analysis of qualitative data to assess changes since the baseline.

• Prepared a comprehensive Midline Study Report highlighting progress, gaps, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations.

Stakeholder Engagement and Learning

• Organized validation workshops with Oxfam and local stakeholders to present preliminary findings.

• Incorporated feedback to finalize the report and support evidence-based adaptive programming.

Consultant List

• Farzana Labannya – Gender Expert

Key Personnel from ART Lab

• Md. Maksud-Ul Hasan – Chairman

• Md. Tauhidur Rahman – Vice-Chairman

• Md. Zahirul Islam – Managing Director

Impact

The Midline Study provided critical insights into the progress and effectiveness of disaster preparedness and resilience interventions under the ACT II project. By identifying achievements, implementation gaps, and emerging good practices, the study supported evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management. The findings reinforced the importance of inclusive, community-driven disaster risk management and strengthened the foundation for improved outcomes in the project’s subsequent phases.