Remittances in reducing risk to earthquakes - analyzing results

All of the survey data has been inputted into SPSS and frequency analysis has been completed. We are now at the stage of comparative analysis to identify key issues and interesting information related to our research. Our comparative analysis will mainly focus on unskilled and semi-skilled migrant workers in both Qatar and South Korea and remittance dependent and non-dependent households. In the frequency analysis, we can already see that migrant workers in South Korea (semi-skilled) have a far higher likelihood of utilising remittances for household construction. We will explore and present this data in our final report with some key recommendations on what actions can be done with the available information.

In a previous blog post, we highlighted that some information on expenditure of migrant workers was incomplete. As a result, we have conducted Key Informant Surveys with experts in migrant issues to get a better understanding of these issues. Thus far, 4 KIS have been completed and they have been incredibly useful to gain a fuller picture of migrant issues, particularly in Qatar. This KIS will be an invaluable source to complement the survey data.

As we complete the analysis and look to draft a final report, the research team has also been in contact with several academic journals to publish the findings from this research. From a list of about 10 academic journals, the research team has selected 2 journals to focus on initially and submit a research article for consideration. In addition, the research team has agreed to make the raw data from the survey open for public use as the information obtained from this survey could be very useful for other organizations or academic institutions.

In the next few weeks, we will begin drafting the final report and will share with stakeholders for comment and critique before submission. This will be followed by a dissemination workshop whereby the results of the study will be widely shared and a discussion can be held on what actions can be taken based on the results of the research.

With support from the Humanitarian Innovation Fund, a programme managed by ELRHA, the earthquake risk and remittances research project from Practical Action and the Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium (NRRC) began in February 2014. This research project will look at the possible links between migrant remittances - where migrants send the majority of their salary to their families in their home country - and earthquake risk, particularly through building construction practices, and how organizations can best communicate with migrant workers on risk reduction issues.