Report on Livelihood and Poverty Research for the Pacific Region

Pacific Disability Forum

Report on Disability, Livelihood and Poverty Research for the Pacific Region.

1. Overview of research

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in

partnership with the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) and the Fiji Disabled Persons Federation

(FDPF) conducted a research in the Pacific on Disability, Livelihood and Poverty from January

2012 to June 2012.

The objectives of the research are to

• Empower persons with disability through generating knowledge on their livelihood needs through their own voices • Build capacity of partner organizations (DPOs) through the project and strengthen relationships between ESCAP, DPOs and persons with disabilities • Provide governments with analysis on the livelihood needs of persons with disabilities • Provide comparable data and experiences of persons with disabilities which reflects their lived experience The research was conducted in Fiji (Northern, Western and Central divisions), Nauru, and the Federated States of Micronesia. It is to be noted here that the research initially targeted Fiji, but the PDF took the initiative to expand this activity to two other Pacific Island countries for better reach and comparative purposes. There was no additional funding provided to the PDF because of this expansion to the research activity. The target sample respondent for the research was 200 from the Pacific region.

2. Outline and Status of Planned activities The planned activities for the research with status for each phase are highlighted in the matrix below.

Outline of activities

Phase 1 Planning

Meeting with the DPOs - briefing on the FGDs

Finalising the Questionnaire Templates for the Action Research

Submission of Plan to UNESCAP

Status – Completed

Phase 2 Communication with stakeholders

Communicating with leaders at the Itaukei (local) affairs for approval on involvement of PWDs and highlighting

Status – Completed

the benefits.

Talking to each of the DPO leaders from each affiliate in the community

Drafting of letters to DPOs and DPAs

Phase 3 Getting the Resources Together

Identifying of Research Assistant

Finalising the list of PWDs to take part in the Face to Face Survey

Preparation for the FGDs with FAD,UBP,SIA and PSA

Status – completed

Phase 4 Implementation of research

Research with urban based DPOs

Research for the Central Eastern Based Affiliates - Rewa and Tailevu north

Research in the Western Affiliates - Sigatoka/Nadi/Ba/Tavua and Ra

Research in the Northern Affiliates - Cakaudrove, Labasa and Dreketi

Research in the Western Affiliates - Sigatoka/Nadi/Ba/Tavua and Ra

Status – completed

Phase 5 Analysing of data

Identifying the person for Data Entry

Compilation of data

Submission of summary of findings to UNESCAP

Status – 90% - complete by week 2 July.

3. Outcomes against Objectives

After completing the face to face interviews and live story interviews, it was evident that the

survey contributed to fulfilling Objectives 1 and 2 of the research. Majority of the

respondents were empowered by the research. It was an opportunity for the respondents,

who were persons with disability and the head of the household to reflect on their past

attitudes and practices and realise the opportunity to develop their current status. For

persons with disabilities, it was a significant opportunity to express their livelihood needs or

identifying assistance from relevant stakeholders to assist them in achieving their livelihood

targets. It was also empowering for the researchers as they assisted in contributing to

realising the potential future for respondents.

The research also provided the opportunity for PDF and FDPF to develop their capacity in

participatory action research from the UNESCAP workshop held before the research. PDF

Programme Manager Katabwena Tawaka and FDPF Project Officer Elenoa Kaisau attended

the workshop and participated in the interviews. In developing local capacities, PDF utilised

its staff to participate in the face to face interviews with FDPF identifying research

assistance from provinces to assist the researchers in allocating respondents and participate

as an interpreter at community level. The relationship between PDF, FDPF and UNESCAP

was strengthen due to the continued support and advice received during the project with

additional support from UNESCAP to assist in providing during the duration of the research.

The project also allowed PDF to expand the research to the Republic of Nauru and to the

Federated State of Micronesia. This allowed PDF to work with DPOs in the both countries in

developing the capacity of identified research assistances and proving empowerment to

persons with disabilities in Livelihood issues. The results from the two extra countries allows

better and comparison of data between Pacific Island countries.

The research in the Pacific also contributed to Objective 3 and 4 of the project by providing

information for government through the project and also improves the capacity of DPOs in

lobbying for inclusion of persons with disabilities in livelihood project. The information will

assist UNESCAP in comparing data with other sub regions with the Asia Pacific Region.

4. Pending Activities

According to the status of the planned activities, PDF and FDPF need to complete phase 5 of

the project which includes the transcribing, translating and analysing of the live story

interviews. This is on target to be completed by July 11 2012.

The final activity to be completed (by July 13 2012) is the summary that includes

information on the following:

i) Explaining the methodology used and highlight any issues or experiences which

emerged during the research;

ii) Indicate the number of surveys completed including by type of disability, gender and

other key characteristics; and

iii) Provide 3-5 key findings/recommendations from the surveys that PDF/FDPF think

UNESCAP should focus on and highlight, including the significance and dynamics of each.

5. Financial Breakdown

Particulars FJD$ Comments

Research grant received from UNESCAP

(rate 1.67-US$15,000)- $25,000

Expenses

Bangkok $2,265.05 (extra costs for FDPF to attend workshop) – visa application in Australia

Fiji – Northern survey $7,352.00 The funds were used for

travel expense, fees for research assistance costs for traditional expenses for PDF and FDPF to interview 180 participants in Fiji.

Fiji – Western survey $7,910.00 Refer to above

Fiji – Central survey $1,595.00 Refer to above

Federated States of Micronesia

$3,618.00 Costs include airfares, accommodation, research assist fees and other costs for research

Admin – PDF $1,000.00

Admin – FDPF $1,000.00

Total $24,740.05

To date PDF has received USD$4,000 and have utilised its funds to complete the UNESCAP

Disability, Livelihood and Poverty research.

6. Conclusion

PDF and FDPF sincerely thank UNESCAP for its confidence to include the Pacific in the

Asia/Pacific wide research that will feed into and support the Incheon Strategy, in particular

Goal 1 on poverty and employment. The support from UNESCAP has developed the capacity

of the staff of PDF and FDPF including research assistants from local DPOs. The significant

impact of the project was the ability for PDF and FDPF to travel to rural settings to meet and

empower persons with disabilities in understanding their livelihood needs.