ESCAP’s needs assessment mission to Bangladesh, 15-19 September 2014

In support of the Government of Bangladesh's efforts to monitor the implementation of the Incheon Strategy to "Make the Right Real" for Persons with Disabilities, an ESCAP team undertook a mission to Dhaka from 15 to 19 September 2014.

Meetings were held with high-ranking officials from 12 Ministries, led by the Ministry of Social Welfare, including a multi-disciplinary team from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, as well as with more than 40 representatives of Disabled People’s Organizations. ESCAP also met with representatives of the United Nations Country Team in Bangladesh.

The key outcome was a detailed assessment of the country's national statistical system capacity to collect data for reporting on the Incheon Strategy Indicators. The mission also contributed to a better understanding of data gaps in the implementation and monitoring of national disability policies and programmes in Bangladesh. Through bilateral consultations, the national understanding of international standards concerning data collection on persons with disabilities was also enhanced.

Based on the findings of the mission, the Government of Bangladesh will develop a national action plan to establish baseline data sets on the Incheon Strategy Indicators by 2017, with support provided by ESCAP.