The Southeast Livelihoods Baseline Survey, conducted in 800 households of eight upazilas under Chittagong and Cox's Bazar districts, focused primarily on education, health and debt burden of the people living in the region.

According to the survey, only five per cent of the 'always poor' households have completed class five despite increases in school enrolment after the introduction of the food for education programme.

The 'always poor' category also suffer from food insecurity for at least seven months of the year.

Sixty-three per cent of them reported that they suffer regularly from various diseases and miss, on an average, nine working days in a month.

Despite efforts to upgrade medical services, only 26 per cent of the 'always poor' group continue to use government or NGO health care services, and spend most of their loan-credit on healthcare.

The survey reveals that the 'always poor' group spends 146 per cent of their net asset value in replaying loans, while they continue to owe 167 per cent of their net asset value to loan-agencies.

However, access to union parishads has increased due to current restructuring. About 30 per cent of all households receive services from union parishads.

Early marriage, dowry and gender-abuse were pointed out as significant factors that continue to hold back women development in the region.

Dr Tim Frankenberger, president of TANGO International, presented the report at a seminar at BRAC Inn in the city yesterday.

CARE Country Director Steve Wallace inaugurated the seminar while Loretta Payne and Tony Hill facilitated the discussion.