LIVELIHOOD ASSETS AND FOOD CONSUMPTION LEVEL OF SLUM DWELLERS IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF DHAKA CITY

Abstract

The present study was carried out to identify the livelihood assets, to determine the food consumption level and to identify the problems and constraints faced by the slum dwellers. For this study, a sample of 60 households was selected randomly from Korail slum under Gulshan & Banani Thana and Noyapara slum at Meradia under Khilgaon thana of Dhaka district. Primary data were collected through field survey using an interview schedule. Tabular analysis along with a DFID livelihood asset was used for data analysis. The major findings of the study were that about 55% of the respondents were middle aged between 31 to 45 years, 46.67% received primary education. Average of family size of the respondents was 4.92. Among the respondents, 35% were involved in maid servant. The families of two earning members constituted 66.67%. Average income and expenditure of the respondents were BDT 177333.67 and BDT 179244.04, respectively. The condition of health status and nutrition was low. About 93.33% of the respondents had cash in hand. Per person per day food consumption level in terms of rice, potato, pulses, oil, milk and fish were 258.96 kcal, 74.23 kcal, 17.6 kcal, 112.89 kcal, 33.56 kcal, 57.25 kcal respectively lower than the national average of those food items and 40% 0f the total households have food security while 60% of them are food insecured. About 75%, 73.33%, 71.67%, 71.67% and 26.67% respondents faced problems on income, housing, sanitation, drinking water and waste management, respectively. To improve the livelihood and food security of slum dwellers, government and other organizations need to come forward.