Norbert Henninger WRI

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World Resources Institute Can Poverty Mapping Make a Difference? Norbert Henninger Mathilde Snel

Agreement: Poverty is Multi-dimensional: 

Agreement: Poverty is Multi-dimensional “ … a pronounced deprivation in wellbeing” Dimensions of: Lacking food, shelter, clothing Being sick with limited or no access to health care Being illiterate with no educational opportunities Having little security and being vulnerable Being excluded from power and no political access No hope for the future

Poverty Mapping: Increasing Demand: 

Poverty Mapping: Increasing Demand Poverty mapping – the spatial representation and analysis of indicators of human wellbeing and poverty – is becoming an increasingly important instrument for investigating and discussing social, economic, and environmental problems

Poverty Mapping Methods: Differ in Reliability, Cost, and Appropriate Use: 

Poverty Mapping Methods: Differ in Reliability, Cost, and Appropriate Use Poverty Mapping: Generic Steps Define purpose and expected use of mapping Select measure(s) of poverty and human wellbeing Select input data Select method of estimating or calculating poverty indicator Select a method to calculate, estimate or display poverty indicator for geographic area Decide on the number of units for final map (resolution) to present poverty data Produce and distribute maps Monitor usage and feedback

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Ecuador: High-resolution maps can help uncover poor areas that might otherwise go undetected

Poverty Mapping: Conclusion: 

Poverty Mapping: Conclusion Poverty maps are being used and have impact in countries Improved and validated geographic targeting Made resource allocation more accountable, transparent, and equitable Ignited national and local-level debate Encouraged broader participation Facilitated coordination between institutions Improved credibility of institutions

Background: 

Background World Resources Institute and UNEP/GRID-Arendal collaboration Telephone and in-person interviews with map producers and users in 14 countries Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa Cambodia and Vietnam Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru

Background: 

Background Case studies reflect a variety of mapping methods Small area estimation of poverty based on household expenditures using household unit level data (8 examples) Small area estimation of poverty based on household expenditures using community or district level data (4 examples) Other approaches with longer history of use (composite indexes like UNDP’s Human Development Index and other basic needs measures (3 examples)

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Source: Tomoki Fujii, Silvia Alayon, and Livia Montana, 2002 University of California, The World Food Programme, ORC Macro (MEASURE DHS) Demographic and Health Survey: Stunting at Province Level, Cambodia

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Source: Tomoki Fujii, Silvia Alayon, and Livia Montana, 2002 University of California, The World Food Programme, ORC Macro (MEASURE DHS) Small Area Estimation: Stunting, Commune Versus National Rates

Poverty Reduction Strategies and Programs: 

Poverty Reduction Strategies and Programs Nicaragua: Strengthened Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (SGPRS) - US$1.1 billion in capital spending over 5 years (2001-05)

Targeting of National Budgets and Investment Programs: 

Targeting of National Budgets and Investment Programs Guatemala: Restructure National Public Investment System (NPIS) and improve targeting of annual expenditures (US$576 million in FY2002)

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Association of poverty and gaps in road infrastructure

Emergency Response and Food Aid: 

Emergency Response and Food Aid South Africa: Poverty maps combined with information on sanitation and safe water supplies used to create a geo-referenced strategy for containing a cholera outbreak in KwaZulu Natal province in early 2001

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The disease outbreak originated in areas with very or high poverty and spread through and towards other poor areas

State and Local-level Decision-making: 

State and Local-level Decision-making Ecuador: Used maps, data, and mapping program to facilitate participatory development of 15 to 20 year local plans in various municipalities

Increased Transparency of Public Decision-making: 

Increased Transparency of Public Decision-making Brazil: Impact on public debate about poverty and transparency of public decision-making

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Improvements of Human Development Index over time Higher resolution maps demonstrate that poverty is not restricted to the Northeast

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Have Poverty Maps Made a Difference? Assessment is too crude to actually show changes in number of poor or poverty severity – will require detailed impact assessment However, convinced that poverty maps and their use have introduced a bias in decisions that increase the likelihood for greater and more precise impact on the poor

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Recommendations: Sustain and Expand Poverty Mapping Recognizing the need for universal application Involving stakeholders from the start Sustaining the effort Ensuring access to data and results Encouraging innovative uses Supporting research on methods Developing a poverty mapping strategy