Covid-19 & Community Resilience - Voices of over 16,000 women and men from 25 countries across 4 continents - a joint study by Alliance2015 member ...
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Covid-19 &
Community
Resilience
Voices of over 16,000 women and men from
25 countries across 4 continents - a joint
study by Alliance2015 member NGOs.
© Concern Worldwide
Abstract This report presents the findings of a survey conducted in 25 countries in the final quarter of 2020 to assess the impact of Covid-19 on food security, WASH, health, education, income, indebtedness and the psychosocial conditions of households. The 8 Alliance2015 member organisations are using the results to adapt their programmes, initiate new partnerships and to advocate for better use of Covid-19 recovery packages. We invite you to join us and support our work, to use our data and analysis for your own programme development, communication and advocacy. Do write to us for further information or feedback at info@alliance2015.org or consult our website: www.alliance2015.org Contents Foreword 3 Acknowledgments 5 Executive summary 6 Introduction 8 Methodology 10 Knowledge and practice of protection measures 12 Coping strategies – people are eating less, eating lower quality food 16 Financial impacts - on incomes 19 Remittances have dried up 24 Debt - an important coping strategy 26 Support from external agencies 28 Impacts on health and health seeking behaviour 31 Education – a lost generation? 35 Psychological well being 38 Social capital and community dynamics 41 Our call for action 42 Our responses 43 Annex 1: Overview of data collection 51
Foreword
Community Resilience is adverse impacts, recover, adapt
the shared vision and core and transform towards a more
philosophy of Alliance2015. secure future.
We seek to strengthen
interconnected societal The importance of the
foundations by building ‘community’ has been
individual and community repeatedly highlighted and
resilience. Resilient people confirmed by this pandemic.
and communities are better Our survey shows that the
prepared for, and able to absorb community has played a vital
and recover from, shocks – role in helping people cope
whether they arise from slow or with the most direct, financial
rapid onset disasters, climate impacts of the pandemic.
change, wars, conflicts or Globally, we observe that
epidemics. the feeling of belonging to
a community has influenced
Covid-19 is testing the individual responses to the
resilience of an intertwined pandemic – determining trust in
global system, exposing many institutions and willingness to
of its weaknesses. Crises are follow advice and instructions.
an intrinsic characteristic of However, the ability to respond
complex systems, and our has also been defined and
development and humanitarian deeply curtailed by individual
response experience shows that circumstances: millions
investments in preparedness for lack access to affordable
all possible scenarios - failures basic WASH services, food,
of governance, extreme events, primary education and health
financial or health emergencies services. Just as a health
- pay off manifold. Traditional crisis in one province of China
approaches to risk assessment has quickly spread across
and risk reduction have other systems that at first
focussed primarily on creating appeared unconnected, future
‘system hardness’, enhancing disruptions too can trigger
their ability to absorb shocks. multi-dimensional global crises.
Such measures are proving Our response strategies must
to be inadequate as systemic address impacts and capacity
threats are inherently uncertain, gaps across sectors and scales,
unpredictable, and random. combining approaches and
These disruptions can only be breaking down silos. A focus
addressed through building on building individual and
resilience – acknowledging and community resilience helps
enhancing the inherent ability move towards more holistic,
of people and communities convergent and integrated
to be prepared for shocks, to approaches.
have the ability to absorb the
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 3
Resilience thinking
acknowledges that massive
disruptions, such as a climate
disruption that compounds other
shocks like pandemics, can
and will occur in the future. It is france spain
essential that our systems have CEO: Marie-Pierre Caley CEO: Fernando Mudarra
the capacity to absorb, recover,
adapt and transform, ensuring
their functionality and taking
advantage of new opportunities
that may arise from the crises -
“bouncing forward” to a better
state.
italy ireland
We believe that in an GENERAL MANAGER: CEO: Dominic MacSorley
increasingly complex and Piersilvio Fagiano
interdependent global system,
policies cannot be based on
extrapolations from the past
or analysis of behaviour of
isolated nations or sectors.
The new approach to resilience
must be based on data, a switzerland the netherlands
recognition and understanding CEO: Melchior Lengsfeld CEO: Edwin Huizing
of the interconnectedness of
systems and their functionality,
constantly learning and
adapting. This survey of
over 16,000 households in
25 countries is a step in this
direction, helping us to shape
our interventions in profound czech republic germany
ways. We offer it to our CEO: Šimon Pánek CEO: Mathias Mogge
colleagues and stakeholders
to help us all better shape our
interventions, decisions and
advocacy in the interests of
those whom the pandemic has
left further behind than ever.
belgium
DIRECTOR: Antonia Potter Prentice
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 4
Acknowledgments
This survey, and the multiple Arshad Hossain (Concern Kpadeh (Welthungerhilfe);
products that emerge from it, Worldwide); in Bolivia Jorge in Madagascar Fitia
is the collective endeavour of Espinoza, Roy Córdova Andriamalalanirina (Helvetas);
several people spread across (Helvetas), Claudia Cardozo, in Malawi Suzanne Elder
the globe, working together Freddy Sanjines, Wilma and Gift Mwembe (Concern
in particularly challenging Velazquez (Hivos), Isabel Cajías, Worldwide); in Nepal
contexts. We wish to thank the Oscar Ernesto Meza (Ayuda en Maheshwor Rijal and Rabin
thousands of respondents who Acción); in Burkina Faso Igor Shrestha (Welthungerhilfe),
generously shared their time, Ouedraogo (Welthungerhilfe). Kanchan Tamang Lama, Niraj
their experiences, and concerns Abdoul Sorgo, Modibo Acharya, Om B Khadka, Subas
with us. We hope their voices Ouedraogo (Helvetas); in Subedi, Bharat Pokharel
carry the urgency of their needs Burundi Vincent Niyungeko, Eric (Helvetas); in Niger Moustapha
and trigger actions by each one Nininahazwe (Welthungerhilfe); Hamidou and Jameson
of us who can help improve their in Democratic Republic of Gadzirai (Welthungerhilfe),
situation. the Congo Marie d’Argentre, Moumouni Magawata, Betou
Lucia Medizza (Concern Bizo (Helvetas); in occupied
Rupa Mukerji (Helvetas) and Worldwide); in Ecuador Doris Palestinian territory Yamen
Chris Pain (Concern Worldwide) Ortiz, Daniel De la Torre Tannineh (ACTED); in
were responsible for the overall (Hivos), Carlos Hernandez Pakistan Asad Salim, Jawad
coordination of this study. and Iván Pulgar (Ayuda en Ali (Helvetas), Farhan Khan,
They were supported by a core Acción); in El Salvador Michael Humayun Khan (Cesvi); in
team comprising Kai Schrader Sambrano, Roberto Flores Somalia Isabella Garino, Adan
(Helvetas), Paulo Rodrigues and Jorge Herrera (Ayuda en Abdi Adan, Abdi Abdulaahi
(Helvetas) and Schahin Bajka - Acción); in Ethiopia Dinakyew Osman (Cesvi); in Syria Maija
Intern (Helvetas). Tessema, Tewodros Tarekegn, Jakobsone, Mazen Shahin,
The Alliance 2015 research Mohammedyasin Jemal, Fitsume Zuhair Hassoon (People in
team of Gaetane Wicquart, Woldemedhin (People in Need) and Patrick Ray (ACTED);
Soraya Douider (ACTED), Need), Getu Woyesa, Mulugeta in Ukraine Rafal Chibowski,
Almudena Barrio (Ayuda Terfa (Concern Worldwide); in Tatiana Kalitka (People in Need)
en Acción), Camila Azzini Georgia Nino Chokheli, Tekla and in Uzbekistan Dilmurod
(Cesvi), Aine Magee (Concern Nemanishvili (People in Need); Abidov (ACTED).
Worldwide), Manine Arends in Guatemala Luis Arcadio
(Hivos), Simona Varga, Lopez Cardona, Yordana We are grateful to Prof. Dina
Georgiana Cremene (People Valenzuela (Helvetas), Fernando Pomeranz, University of Zürich
in Need), David Streiff, Julia Cano, Saira Ortega, Karina and Board Member of Helvetas
Escher (Welthungerhilfe) were Pierola, Rodrigo Vega (HIVOS), for her advice and guidance.
responsible for the research Ada Beda Gaytan, Alejandro The Alliance2015 Hub
design and implementation. Farfán and Eddy Asencio (Brussels), Core Groups
(Ayuda en Acción); in Haiti (Advocacy, Communication,
Country level Core Teams Kwanli Kladstrup, Dady Gabriel Institutional Fundraisers and
were responsible for the data (Concern Worldwide); in Jordan Program Groups) and the
collection. In Afghanistan Sofia de Sanctis (ACTED); MEAL (Monitoring Evaluation
Nataliia Midna (ACTED); in in Kenya Yacob Yishak, Accountability and Learning
Bangladesh Kamlesh Vyas Felicity Munene (Concern network), provided invaluable
(Helvetas), Heather Macey, Worldwide); in Liberia Zinneh coordination and support.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 5
Executive
summary
The Covid-19 pandemic practicing them. One in every Three quarters of respondents
is testing the resilience of four respondents found it reported a change in their
communities globally, with difficult to avoid social contact ability to earn an income due
very differentiated impacts, (27%), avoid crowded places to the policies implemented to
exacerbating existing inequities (24%), afford masks (26%) control the spread of Covid-19,
and creating new ones. To or soap (24%). These issues with 92% saying this change had
help shape an evidence- were further exacerbated been negative. Over two thirds
based response to Covid-19, for people living in camps. (72%) of farmers reported a
Alliance2015 members jointly While information campaigns reduction in income with half of
conducted a survey in 25 have been effective and them saying this was on account
countries, covering over have reached most of the of market disruption and their
16,000 women, men and trans/ respondents across all 25 inability to sell produce. The
non-binary people over a countries, the ability to practice lockdowns and curfews severely
two-month period (from mid- the recommended measures affected casual workers, over
October to mid-December is highly curtailed by a lack of 91% of those who depend on
2020). The large sample size access to basic hygiene services this as their primary source
and distribution of respondents, and products (water, soap, of income said they had been
living in urban, rural and camp disinfectant, masks). Crowded adversely affected. Women
settings, provides a robust base working and living conditions reported a higher reliance on
for adapting and designing also prevent people living remittances, external support,
humanitarian assistance and in poverty from adhering to petty trade and casual labour
development programmes and physical distancing norms. than men – with each of
assessing their impacts, by these sectors more adversely
Alliance2015 members, other Eight months into the pandemic impacted by policies to control
CSOs, government and donors. a shocking 46% of women the spread of Covid-19 than
The survey provides striking and 37% of men reported that others. Even among workers
information on the impacts they and their families were with a formal work contract, 64%
of Covid-19 on food security, consuming lesser quantity reported a reduction in income
WASH, health, education, and quality of food. Six of - 41% said this was due to the
income, indebtedness and the 9 countries where the lockdowns, 31% said their work
psychosocial conditions of largest number of respondents time was reduced while 26%
households. reported a decline in quality reported they lost their jobs.
and quantity of food consumed
At the time of the survey, most (almost 80%) are in Sub-Saharan Almost one in seven
respondents were aware of Africa where the extent of respondents reported they
the measures to reduce the hunger, and hunger induced received remittances from
transmission of Covid-19 such human development deficits, family members elsewhere.
as frequent hand washing (87%) are already among the highest Over 80% of them said either
and wearing of masks (81%) in the world. remittances had stopped
but faced many challenges in completely or had reduced.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 6
This suggests the negative eight percent of women living in income in the future. Over
economic impacts affect a camps reported a deterioration 80% of respondents across
much wider community, with in their health and well-being. At all settlement types said they
differential impacts on women, least a third of respondents said experienced more frequent
children and the elderly who are they had delayed or skipped feelings of worry than before
more reliant on domestic and visits to health centres or had Covid-19 and were deeply
international remittance flows. not completed the planned concerned about the future.
Over two thirds of respondents schedule of visits. The main While community support
had to borrow money, buy on reasons for this were fear of continues to act as a financial
credit or ask a family member contracting Covid-19, the high safety net for many, conflicts
or neighbour for financial help. cost and the waiting time. and arguments are reported to
A high reliance on informal have increased, both within the
sources was reported – of those Among respondents with family and in the community
who borrowed, 61% did so from children in their households, in all settlement types. Across
friends and neighbours, 34% two thirds reported their all settlement types, over 40%
from extended family and 11% children’s access to education of men and more than 50% of
from ‘loan sharks’. Over 38% of had worsened post Covid-19. women reported being in a
respondents reported they had Over 22% of respondents who constant state of worry, feeling
received some form of support live in household with children sad, experiencing mood swings
from external agencies to cope in the age group of 4 to 16 or finding it difficult to sleep.
with the impacts of Covid-19 and years reported that none of the
most (84%) found the assistance children were receiving any Alliance2015 members are
useful and well targeted. education, while 24% reported using these results to adapt
that only some children were their programmes, initiate new
A third of the respondents receiving education. activities and to advocate for
reported a worsening of their better use of the Covid-19
health conditions in the period Most respondents were worried recovery packages.
since the start of Covid-19. Forty about their ability to earn an
© Welthungerhilfe
Food distribution project, gratis bread distribution in the Northern part of Idlib, Syria.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 7
Introduction
Alliance2015 is a strategic Alliance2015 joins forces policies in Europe, and globally.
network of eight European to achieve greater impact Alliance2015 is a unique
non-government organisations on poverty reduction and partnership that relies on its
engaged in joint humanitarian disaster preparedness and members’ inputs and shared
and development action to response in the framework of interests. While focussing on
achieve greater scale and the SDGs. Based on this work joint impact, the partnership is
quality of impact. Originally on the ground, Alliance2015 designed to enable its members
constituted to strengthen its also strives to influence to retain their own identity,
contribution to the MDGs, development and humanitarian brand and philosophy.
© Welthungerhilfe
Afghanistan, Improved access to Sanitation, Drinking water and Shelter for IDPs and returnees in Nangarhar.
Alliance2015 members have
identified Community Resilience
Alliance2015 members adhere to the values of the UN
as their common shared vision.
Declaration of Human Rights and are committed to the
The pandemic is testing the
eradication of absolute poverty and to greater social
resilience of communities
equality. We promote the principles of aid and development
globally, across all regions and
effectiveness including that of greater accountability
socio-economic groups. It is
and transparency. We aspire collectively to becoming a
also having very differentiated
stronger European and global player in selected areas of
impacts on people across
development cooperation and humanitarian aid.
regions of the world and within
countries, exacerbating existing
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 8
inequities and inequalities and The sample has been chosen
creating new ones. Alliance2015 from current or potential future
members have adapted their partner communities/ primary
programmes and have initiated stakeholders of Alliance2015
new activities to address the member implemented projects
crisis. We have been collecting and thereby has a certain pro-
qualitative and quantitative poor bias. We do not seek to
data to inform and shape our extrapolate the results to the
interventions right from the whole country or the region. The
start of the pandemic. This large sample size contributes
joint study complements such to the robustness of the
data with a large sample, findings and specific findings
multi-country, cross sectoral correlate well with results from
survey to assess the impacts other larger, sector focussed
of Covid-19 on aspects that quantitative and qualitative
contribute to household and studies. This gives confidence
community resilience. The data to use the information to shape
serves multiple needs of shaping current and future actions.
project design, development The survey was carried out by
agendas, dialogue and advocacy our own or partner staff, in a
with multiple stakeholder groups. two-month window, using the
This study enables us to same questionnaire. The data
deepen our understanding provides rich insights to both
of community resilience and the prevalence of Covid-19,
aspects that contribute to its impacts on community
coping (absorption), adaptive resilience as well as the impacts
or transformative response of government policies and
strategies of households measures to control the spread
across diverse contexts. The of Covid-19 on the poorest and
findings from this study help most vulnerable households and
us to identify interventions individuals in these countries. An
that can augment community overview of the data collection is
resilience. We see this as an provided at Annex 1.
important contribution to our
own, and global understanding
of community resilience, with
possibilities for longitudinal
assessments.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 9
Methodology
The survey was conducted
over a two-month period in the Sample size per country
final quarter of 2020 across
25 countries in four continents Uzbekistan 513
using the same questionnaire Ukraine 285
translated into several Syria 988
Somalia
languages. The questionnaire 404
Pakistan 995
consisted of 74 multiple choice
oPT 382
questions, divided into eight Niger 1.086
main areas: Knowledge and Nepal 1.020
Practices, Impact on Income, Malawi 406
Debt and Sale of Assets, Madagascar 510
Help from External Agencies, Liberia 484
Impacts on Health and Health Kenya 486
Jordan 363
Seeking Behaviour, Impacts on
Haiti 633
Education (Future Perspectives),
Guatemala 1.211
Community Dynamics and Georgia 304
Psychological Well-being. The Ethiopia 1.184
choice of questions allows an El Salvador 413
assessment of the impacts of Ecuador 409
Covid-19, the reach and efficacy DRC 302
of the measures taken to inform, Burundi 625
Burkina 1.588
protect and support people to
Bolivia 528
deal with the pandemic and the
Bangladesh 617
identification of emerging areas Afghanistan 458
of further assistance. Interviews
0 500 1000 1500
were conducted either in-
person or over telephone.
countries several regions were type). This report presents
The sample was selected covered. Fifty two percent of the global data and analysis,
purposively and all the the respondents were women, specific country and thematic
respondents in the survey 48% men and 45 respondents reports are forthcoming.
belong to households that identified themselves as trans
are either current or potential or non-binary. The age group of Where the survey was
participants in development respondents ranged from 15 to conducted through personal
and/or humanitarian over 65 years and the analysis interviews, all precautions
response projects of one of is presented in five age cohorts. against the spread of Covid-19
the Alliance2015 member The survey covered rural, were taken, including wearing
organisations. This study urban, peri-urban settlements of masks, maintaining distance
presents data from a total as well as camps for refugees of 2m between enumerator
of 16,194 respondents from or internally displaced people. and respondent, avoiding
25 countries. A minimum The data is disaggregated and all physical contact such as
sample of 285 per country analysed by gender, age and through sharing of pens, water
was achieved and in some location (country and settlement bottles etc.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 10Sample Sample Sample
by gender by age group by location
FEMALE 52% UNDER 15 YO 0% RURAL 47%
MALE 48% 15-19 YO 2% URBAN 30%
TRANS/NON BINARY 0% 20-49 YO 76% PERI-URBAN 12%
50-64 YO 17% CAMP 11%
OVER 64 YO 5%
© Welthungerhilfe
Kenia. Comic books distribution, Kitui county. Kasarani primary school.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 11Knowledge
and practice of
protection measures
The survey was conducted
between October and Knowledge of precautions
December 2020 and at that time
most respondents were aware
(to avoid Covid-19)
of the measures to reduce
the transmission of Covid-19. Avoid hand-shaking,
hugging or social kissing 31%
Frequent hand washing (87%) Cover mouth and nose
when coughing or sneezing 27%
and wearing of masks (81%),
Avoid touching eyes,
which are among the most mouth and nose 29%
effective measures, were Avoid crowded places 43%
widely identified as means of Use hand sanitizer 50%
preventing transmission. Over
Maintain physical distance 58%
half the respondents were
aware of the need to maintain Wear a mask 81%
a physical distance and the use Frequent handwhashing
with soap 87%
of hand sanitizers to combat
the spread of Covid-19. This Stay home 49%
reflects the efficacy and reach
of the information dissemination 0 20 40 60 80 100
measures taken by many
actors, including government
and A2015 member. No large Challenges Identified
differences were seen in the
knowledge of preventive
measures across gender,
Cannot afford water 15%
although a higher proportion of
Hard to avoid crowded
women stated ‘staying home’ places (markets) 24%
as a measure to contain the There is no availability
23%
of masks
pandemic than men. Younger
Cannot afford masks 26%
respondents were more aware
There is no availability
of the protection measures than of soap 18%
older ones. Availability of water 14%
Hard to avoid social contacts 27%
Cannot afford soap 24%
Too many people in household 18%
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 12The practice of these measures These challenges were further While the information campaigns
however posed several exacerbated for people living in have been effective and
challenges. One in every four camps where 41% reported they appear to have reached most
respondents found it difficult could not afford to buy soap and of the respondents in the 25
to avoid social contact (27%) 38% could not afford masks. countries, the ability to apply
could not avoid crowded places Over a third (36%) reported that the recommended measures
(24%), more men reported this their living areas were over- is highly curtailed by lack
as a challenge than women. crowded while access to water of access to basic hygiene
The affordability of masks (26%) was a challenge for 28% of the services and products (water,
and soap (24%) was reported respondents living in camps. In soap, disinfectant, masks).
as a challenge, in both cases peri-urban areas, over-crowding Crowded working and living
women reported this more and the difficulty of avoiding spaces also prevent people
frequently than men. Living in social contact were highlighted living in poverty from adhering
an overcrowded household was by over a third (35%) of the to the recommended physical
stated as a problem by 18% and respondents. In rural areas, over distancing norms. Social
access to and affordability of a quarter of the respondents practices such as hand shaking
water was a challenge for 15% stated they were unable to and personal hygiene practices
of the respondents. Overall, follow the physical distancing such as covering face and mouth
affordability was more often regulations or the recommended while coughing and sneezing
referred to as a problem than hygiene practices. have been adopted by most
availability. respondents.
Main challenges, by location
Hard to avoid crowded places (markets) 27%
CAMP
Availability of water 28%
Cannot afford soap 41%
Hard to avoid crowded places (markets) 26% RURAL PERI-URBAN
Availability of water 13%
Cannot afford soap 31%
Hard to avoid crowded places (markets) 24%
Availability of water 13%
Cannot afford soap 24%
Hard to avoid crowded places (markets) 23%
URBAN
Availability of water 11%
Cannot afford soap 17%
0 10 20 30 40
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 13As the prospect of
vaccination reaching
people in developing
countries in the next
months are quite
bleak, information
and communication
efforts need continued
attention and gaps
in access to WASH
services need continued
© Franca Roiatti
focus and financing.
Gel distribution, Burkina Faso.
© Cesvi, Pakistan
In April 2020, the RAST project (rehabilitation of the communal water infrastructure, sanitation facilities in schools and health centres and work on the
behavior change to improve WASH & hygiene situation) has been further adapted in response to the Covid-19 pandemic emergency.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 14Our responses:
Alliance2015 members adapted and share knowledge and
their programmes and increased resources with municipalities,
their focus on protection and camp managers, frontline health
hygiene awareness immediately and education staff as well as
on the outbreak of the pandemic. millions of households. Local
We aligned our own working authorities have also been
modalities with official hygiene supported to combat the spread
regulations to protect staff and of misinformation.
partners. Handwashing facilities have
Every Alliance2015 member been set up in public health
has initiated large scale facilities, schools, markets and
campaigns to raise awareness public buildings. Alliance2015
about the virus, its impact and members have distributed soaps,
the protection measures. All sanitizers, masks and personal
Alliance2015 members work protective equipment (PPE) to
with radio, loudspeakers, mobile bridge the wide gap between
vans and phones, posters and the needs and their availability.
plays, as appropriate for the These actions need continued
context. Alliance2015 members attention and need to be further
work with partner organisations scaled up.
Our recommendations:
Covid-19 has put a spotlight > Continue campaigns on
on the strategic importance of raising hygiene awareness
WASH as one of the first lines of and their effects in terms
defence in preventing infections of changed behaviour and
and slowing the spread of practices.
outbreaks –especially in refugee
camps and informal settlements, > Prioritize WASH in camps,
schools and health care facilities. schools, and health care
Concrete action is needed to: facilities and equip frontline
health workers with the
> Stimulate local production of protection they need to safely
soap, disinfectants, and masks execute their duties while
in areas where they are not ensuring infection prevention
available or unaffordable for and control for healthcare
those in need. This is critical in seeking populations.
order both to increase access
to hygiene practices and to
create local income earning
opportunities.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 15Coping strategies –
people are eating less,
eating lower quality
food
Eight months into the pandemic, long-term impacts, particularly
45% of women reported that, on children, pregnant and
compared to the period before nursing women. Several studies1
Covid-19, they and their families have also documented the
were consuming less food with additional burden of work
a similar proportion saying on women and girls due to
the quality was worse. Over a increased household water
third of male respondents also needs and presence of larger
reported a decline in both the number of family members for
quality and quantity of food longer periods of time in the
consumed. This has potential house.
Decrease in the Quantity and Quality
of Food consumed in the household
40
30
Female 45%
Female 46%
Total 40%
Male 35%
Total 42%
Male 37%
20
10
0
Eating less Quality got worse
1 - United Nations Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on Women; 9 APRIL 2020; COVID-19 and gender equality: Countering
the regressive effects; Mc Kinsey Global Institute, July 2020
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 16Six of the 9 countries where the Haiti. Many of these countries
largest number of respondents already suffer from high levels
reported a decline in quality of hunger. The data collected
and quantity of food consumed suggests that the reduction
were in Sub Saharan Africa: in food consumption is the
Democratic Republic of Congo, combined impacts of loss of
Malawi, Kenya, Burundi, Liberia incomes, including remittances,
and Madagascar. The other three increase in local food prices and
are Afghanistan, Ecuador and lack of access to credit.
Countries with the highest Countries with the highest
proportion of respondents proportion of respondents
saying they are eating less saying the quality of the food
than before Covid-19 they consume has declined
80
60
40
20
84% 81% 79% 79% 69% 87% 86% 76% 71% 70%
DRC MALAWI ECUADOR KENYA HAITI KENYA ECUADOR MALAWI AFGHA. LIBERIA
© Moumouni Magawata
Helvetas, Niger.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 17Our responses:
The pandemic has brought helped to prepare nutritious
together the global community meals with locally available
in shared grief, trauma as well as ingredients. In others, local food
the experience of shortages of networks are being stimulated
basic necessities. Alliance2015 where farmers can sell their
members have had to respond produce over digital platforms
to food insecurity not only in to consumers, tying up with
their partner countries but also auto rickshaw services for home
in their own countries. Cesvi delivery. Funds have been made
had to initiate home delivery of available to our local partners
food packets and medicines for to respond to emergency food
the elderly and children in Italy, needs and project budgets and
at the peak of the pandemic. durations have been adapted
Alliance2015 members started to enable this. While many
food and cash distribution innovations have been triggered
on a large scale in areas of by our responses, a lot more
their operation. We scaled up needs to be done to protect the
existing food and food voucher most vulnerable from the long-
distribution programmes in term economic impacts of the
camps and in schools. In remote pandemic.
areas, communities are being
Our recommendations:
Covid-19 and its consequences > A clear commitment to
are fuelling chronic and acute multi-sectoral approaches
malnutrition across the globe. designed to build resilience
New levels of leadership and at community level while
action must be delivered over improving nutrition outcomes.
the coming months and in
particular through the UN Food > A scale up of investment in
Systems Summit, COP26 and the humanitarian response to
Nutrition for Growth Summit. We deal with the growing threat
call for: of famine faced by millions
across some of the most fragile
> A consistent focus on countries of the world.
those furthest behind, the
poorest and most vulnerable > National governments
and women and children in and donors to enhance
particular. their support for safety
net programmes as part
of developing stronger
nationally led Social Protection
programmes.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 18Financial impacts
- on incomes
The primary sources of income
of the household of those
interviewed were agriculture Primary source
(35%), followed by casual labour
(22%), petty trade (20%), formal
of income
labour (i.e., with a contract, 13%)
while 7% of respondents (mainly
from camps) reported their main
source of income came in the
form of assistance from external
agencies, and 3% relied on
remittances.
A greater proportion of women
reported their households
relied on remittances, external
support, petty trade and casual
labour than men – these sectors
have been more adversely
impacted by policies to control
the spread of Covid-19 than AGRICULTURE 35% FORMAL LABOUR 13%
others. PETTY TRADE 20% REMITTANCES 7%
CASUAL LABOUR 22% SUPPORT EXT. AGENCIES 7%
Across all occupations,
settlement types, gender and
age groups, a substantial
majority of respondents stated Ability to earn an income
that their ability to earn an negatively affected by Covid-19
income had been affected.
Amongst those who gave this AGRICULTURE 72%
response, those identifying a PETTY TRADE 86%
negative impact were highest in
CASUAL LABOR 91%
the peri-urban areas where over
87% of respondents reported FORMAL LABOUR 63%
that their ability to earn an
REMITTANCES 78%
income had worsened – with
40% saying it got a little worse SUPPORT EXT.
AGENCIES 69%
and 46.6% saying it got a lot
0 20 40 60 80 100
worse.
NO YES DON’T KNOW
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 19Over two thirds (72%) of farmers
reported a reduction in income
Main challenges COVID-19
due to Covid-19. Of them, half said posed for Agriculture
this was on account of disruption
of markets and their inability to
sell produce. Nearly a third (30%) Loss of market 50%
reported delayed planting and No time for harvest 18%
23% reported that they could only
Harvested early 7%
cultivate a smaller area of land.
No harvest 16%
The lockdowns and curfews Delayed harvest 17%
imposed by governments to
Decreased acrage 24%
control the spread of Covid-19 also
severely affected casual workers, Delayed planting 32%
over 91% of whom said their ability
10 20 30 40 50
to earn an income was adversely
affected. Over three quarters (76%)
reported fewer work opportunities Main challenges COVID-19
while 48% stated they were being
offered lower wage rates. posed for Casual Labour
Petty traders have been Payment is lower 48%
particularly badly affected by the There are less
measures to control Covid-19 work opportunity 76%
with 86% reporting a reduction 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
in income which they attributed
equally to lack of customers and
the inability of customers to pay. Main challenges COVID-19
They suffer from the closure of
posed for Petty Trade
markets – 49% had restricted
access to markets and 29% could
Customers have
not procure the goods to sell. Trade no money 48%
disruptions are having adverse Regulations 17%
impacts on the smaller market
actors who are not protected by
Goods not available 36%
Customers not coming
any government policy, have little to buy 53%
access to credit, little capacity to Closed areas (markets) 49%
stock goods or negotiate terms of
trade. These risks and costs will in 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
turn be passed on to the equally
poor households who are their
customers. Main challenges COVID-19
posed for Formal Labour
Even among workers with a formal
work contract, 63% reported a Employer reduced the pay
but not the amount of work 11%
reduction in income, 41% said this
Cannot work due to
was because they were not able lockdown/travel restrictions 35%
to work due to the lockdowns, 31% Employer has reduced the
work time and the pay 27%
said their work time was reduced Employer has laid
people off 26%
while 26% reported they lost their
jobs. 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 20Respondents were asked to Unsurprisingly, only a small decreased while 38.8% said
describe the overall change proportion (3.4% in total) said they experienced a ‘significant
in the financial situation of there had been an improvement; negative change’. This was
their households since the 18.9% said it had remained the worst in peri-urban areas.
start of the Covid-19 crisis. same, 34.6% said it had slightly
Financial situation compared
to pre-Covid-19 by location
URBAN 42% 33%
RURAL 37% 40%
PERI-URBAN 51% 33%
CAMP 43% 34%
0 20 40 60 80 100
SIGNIFICANT DECREASE SLIGHT DECREASE ABOUT THE SAME SLIGHT INCREASE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE
Respondents were also asked
whether they were worried if
Covid-19 would (further) affect Main financial fears
the financial situation of their
for the future
household over the next six
months, with 76.9% responding
that this was the case. Many Inability to pay rent 18%
respondents (62.8%) reported
Reduction in support from
they were worried about price other family member 16%
increases. Just over 43% worried Transport will be
more expensive 35%
about not having a job while 34%
were concerned about reductions Increased prices
for basic commodities 63%
in their income due to less work
Less work hours leading
hours. High transport costs, which to reduce income 34%
have a negative impact on the Loss of job leading to
44%
complete loss of income
poor who need to travel to work
or markets, were a concern for 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
34% of the respondents. Inability
to pay rent, with the attendant
risk of eviction, was a concern for
18% of respondents, the majority
of them in urban areas.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 21Our responses:
© Yacouba Lankoande
Soap manufacture, Burkina Faso.
Alliance2015 members have both financial and technical
initiated a range of local income assistance, is a key focus aimed
generating activities that cater at protecting employment
to the new demands arising opportunities. Small businesses
from Covid-19 such as mask are being supported to use
production, soap manufacture, radio and digital platforms
fabrication of hand washing to promote their products.
stations etc. Cash-for-Work Many local youths have also
schemes have been started been hired to support and
in many countries. People, implement our own Covid-19
especially the youth, are related activities such as
being trained in the use of hygiene promotion trainings,
digital technologies for new construction work and material
employment opportunities, distribution. Cash assistance
such as in delivery services. and vouchers are being
Enhanced assistance to micro, provided to the most vulnerable
small and medium enterprises, persons and households.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 22© Helvetas, Mozambique
Mask production in Mozambique.
Our recommendations:
The livelihoods and income of > At national level, governments
extremely poor people have must invest in and adopt
been severely impacted by policies to mitigate the rising
the pandemic with differences costs of basic needs.
across urban, peri-urban and
rural contexts. In response: > Governments, donors,
and NGOs must work with
> At the individual household organizations trusted and
level, recovery packages monitored by communities
must provide appropriate and to ensure social protection
adequate support to allow programs function optimally
individuals access to the and fairly and promote gender
goods, services and social equity and social cohesion.
support they need.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 23Remittances have
dried up
Almost 14% of all respondents
reported receiving remittances
Receive Remittances?
from family members elsewhere.
While remittances are a primary
source of income for 3% of CASUAL LABOR 85% 15%
the respondents, it was a
complementary source of income FORMAL LABOUR 86% 14%
for many more. Receipt of
remittances was highest among REMITTANCES 81% 19%
respondents from peri-urban
areas and slightly less so among
CAMP 91% 9%
urban and rural respondents
(14%).
0 20 40 60 80 100
Over three quarters (77%) of
all who received remittances NO YES
reported a reduction or complete
stoppage of remittances.
Stopped Decreased Somewhat About the Somewhat Increased
completely a lot decreased same increased a lot
What
28% 22% 31% 14% 3% 2%
happened to
the flows of
remittances? 81% 19%
Forty percent of women from
peri-urban settlements who Reasons for declines
relied on remittances reported
that these have stopped
in remittances
completely.
Don’t know 4%
Most of these respondents (85%)
Other 11%
knew the reason for stoppage or
reduction of remittances – 55% Person got sick or died 6%
reported this was the result of The cost of sending
7%
the transfer increased
income loss of the relative who
Relatives cost
32%
was sending the money, 38% of living increased
reported the relative sending Relatives income
was reduced 55%
money had lost her/his job while Loss of job leading to
38%
complete loss of income
32% attributed it to higher costs
of living. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 24The World Bank recently revised, its estimates of the reduction in international
remittance flows due to Covid-19 estimating a 14% decline in 2020 compared to
201921. It predicts that ‘the economic crisis induced by Covid-19 could be long, deep,
and pervasive when viewed through a migration lens’. Our study captures the impact
of Covid-19 on both domestic and international remittances and presents a much
starker picture.
Our responses:
Migrant workers are one of are met and are also providing
the groups most affected by them with job and psychosocial
government policies to contain counselling.
the spread of Covid-19. As a vast
majority of migrant workers are Cash transfers, food aid
employed in the informal sector, and alternate employment
they rapidly lost their sources opportunities are some of the
of income, their shelters, and actions initiated to help the
had to face harsh quarantine most vulnerable households
measures on their return home. who relied on remittances.
Allaince2015 members helped Several countries with fragile
local governments to build economies, such as Somalia, rely
quarantine facilities in areas significantly on remittances. They
that saw large scale return of need particular attention and
migrants. We help ensure that continued international support.
the basic needs of the returnees
Our recommendations:
Labour migrants have been > Instigate special measures > Use innovative channels
particularly affected by the to support individuals, to ensure that the benefits
pandemic, due both to mobility households and communities of fiscal stimulus reach
restrictions as well as severe who depend on remittances vulnerable populations.
impacts on people working in and/or the informal economy The creation of alternative
the informal sector. This has an and who have no economic livelihoods for those rendered
immediate effect on remittance safety net to support unemployed by Covid-19,
flows and thus, household themselves in a situation of especially opportunities in the
incomes in developing countries. forced confinement or mobility green sectors in rural and peri-
In response, it is necessary to: restriction. urban areas, is an urgent need.
2 - Dilip Ratha, Supriyo De, Eung Ju Kim, Sonia Plaza,Ganesh Seshan, and Nadege Desiree Yameogo.
2020. “Migration and Development Brief 33: Phase II: COVID-19 Crisis through a Migration Lens.”
KNOMAD-World Bank, Washington, DC. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 25Debt - an important
coping strategy
Respondents were asked Sources of Loans by those
whether they had to borrow who report borrowing to cope
money to cope with the situation with COVID 19
since the start of the Covid-19
pandemic. Over 47% of all
MFI 13%
respondents said they had to
borrow money. In addition, 41% Bank 6%
of respondents said they had Community Group 10%
taken goods on credit from
Family 34%
the local shops. As with many
of the other indicators, the Neighbours 61%
greatest proportion of such Loan Shark 11%
responses were recorded in
the peri-urban and camp areas.
Delayed planting 4%
While responses of men and 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
women were similar, younger
age groups were more likely time frame. Amongst this group, (at 47.7%), followed by those who
to report increased borrowing almost 40% said they did not had borrowed from Community
or purchases on credit post expect to be in a position to Groups (at 46%), while the lowest
Covid-19, than other age groups. repay the loan while 37% said proportion giving this response
People were further asked where they would be able to do so were recorded amongst those
they were borrowing this money and 22% said they didn’t know. who had borrowed from family
from – the largest proportion Respondents who borrowed from (at 33.9%) and neighbours (at
of respondents borrowed from banks felt more certain that they 33.8%).
neighbors (60.9%) followed by would be able to repay the loans
family (34.3%) – the proportion
who relied on Micro Finance
Institutions (at 12.9%) or Banks
(at 6.1%) was considerably lower,
while almost 11% have had to
resort to borrowing from ‘loan
sharks’.
Community groups, once an
important source of consumption
loans, especially for women, had
been accessed by only 10% of
respondents.
© Helvetas, Mozambique.
Respondents who reported
borrowings were asked whether
they thought they would be able
to repay this loan in the agreed
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 26Our responses:
The CGAP31 assesses financial furlough schemes, grants, of the local economy. Inputs for
inclusion to be important for interest free and low interest agriculture and livestock rearing
achievement of 11 of the 17 SDGs. credit have buffered the impact have been provided to ensure
However, as this crisis indicates, of Covid-19 for millions in continuity of these livelihoods
in developing countries marked developed countries, people in in contexts where markets have
by informality, access to credit developing countries have had been disrupted. Emergency cash
for consumption needs from few avenues for financial support assistance has been provided to
the formal sector is limited and from the formal, regulated many of the neediest persons.
social networks continue to play sectors. Alliance2015 members These programmes need to be
an important safety net function. have focussed their efforts on continued to prevent further
Community based institutions creation of local income and indebtedness or dilution of the
needs to be strengthened as employment opportunities asset base of households.
they are the lender of first and for women and men thereby
last resort for the poor. While strengthening the foundations
Our recommendations:
This research reveals the extent > Adopt and expand graduation
to which individuals have had programming in order to build
to take on debt in order to the resilience of communities
manage their way through the and individuals to future shocks
pandemic. Uncertainty about and stresses.
the future and the stresses
that brings compounds the > Work to ensure a clear
burden of debt being carried. transition from humanitarian
In order to help individuals and response to addressing long
communities escape that burden, term solutions.
Governments and humanitarian
actors must coordinate in order
to:
> Provide financial assistance
as part of a wider package
of support which enables
the creation of livelihood
opportunities in the longer
term.
3 - Leora Klapper, Mayada El-Zoghbi, Jake Hess: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: The Role of Financial Inclusion,
CGAP, UNSGSA; APRIL 2016
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 27Support from
external agencies
Over 38% of respondents report
receiving some form of support
from external agencies to cope Received external support
with the impacts of Covid-19 in to cope with the impacts of Covid-19
the three months prior to the
survey.
1%
Respondents were also
asked whether they were
aware of other members of
their community receiving
assistance – this was highest 38%
in camp settings (at 65.8%),
61%
with slightly over half (50.6%)
the respondents in rural
areas said they were aware of
someone in their community
receiving external support,
followed by those living in
urban areas (49.1%). As is often
the case, respondents living NO
in peri-urban areas have been YES
disproportionately excluded DON’T KNOW/NO ANSWER
with only 36.4% of respondents
reporting anyone in their
community received assistance.
Most beneficiaries, 84%, found Someone in their community received
the assistance useful and 79% assistance in last 3 months due
to Covid-19 pandemic
said the assistance was given to
those who were most needy.
CAMP 66%
Of those who received PERI URBAN 36%
assistance 60% report receiving
RURAL 51%
food aid, 44% said they received
cash and the remaining received URBAN 49%
soaps, masks and sanitisers.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Nine percent reported that they
got better access to water.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 28Type of support received
Soap / Hand sanitizer 42%
Water 9%
PPEs (masks or gloves) 35%
Cash 44%
Food 60%
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Our responses:
© Firoz Mahmud / Concern Worldwide
Concern Bangladesh have implemented new measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 at distributions, such as maintaining social distancing, wearing
protective equipment and installing hand-washing stations. Kalpona is pictured washing her hands, prior to receiving her cash transfer at the “Monsoon Flood
Recovery project” distribution.
While all Alliance2015 and persist for almost a year
members substantially now. While the targeting
adapted their programme and the nature of support
and scaled up actions to provided are appropriate,
support communities they need to be complemented
with food and material aid, and scaled up.
the needs are overwhelming
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 29Our recommendations:
While aid agencies at all levels
try their best to support poor
and disadvantaged people
during the pandemic, the needs
revealed through this survey
will increase day by day over
the weeks and months to come.
Action must therefore be taken
to:
> Scale up the level of
external support to the most
vulnerable, with a special
focus on women, children,
elderly and people with
disabilities.
> Find ways to improve and
maintain external support
also in humanitarian settings,
including in camps.
© Concern Worldwide
> Understand and respond to
the real needs at community
level, and be ready to meet
Marriam Jamali washes her hands after receiving soap as part of of hygiene distribution to help prevent the
them adequately, timely and in spread of Covid-19 by Concern Worldwide in Lilongwe. On receiving the soap Marriam says ‘this could not
have come at a better time’.
a coordinated manner.
© Dieu Nalio Chery/ For Concern Worldwide
Yvener Jose, left, a staff of Concern Worldwide checks registration documents for Guillaume Ysmara (75), during a distribution of hygiene kits by Concern
Worldwide in Cite Soleil slum, a district of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 30Impacts on health
and health seeking
behaviour
A third of the respondents since COVID. A substantial
reported a worsening of their 48% of women living in camps
health conditions post Covid-19. observed a deterioration in their
Fourteen percent also stated health and well-being now.
that health had improved
Compared to the period before Covid-19 how would you describe the overall
health and well-being of your family members?
Decreased Refuse to
Improved Got worse Don’t know
a lot answer
Male 16.1% 52.3% 30.9% 0.5% 0.1%
Female 12.7% 51.2% 35.4% 0.5% 0.3%
Trans / Non-Binary 4.4% 64.4% 31.1% 0.0% 0.0%
Urban 14.0% 53.5% 32.1% 0.1% 0.3%
Rural 14.2% 54.8% 30.0% 0.8% 0.2%
Peri Urban 17.6% 42.0% 40.2% 0.1% 0.1%
Camp 14.2% 43.4% 41.9% 0.1% 0.4%
19 years and under 15.4% 60.7% 22.8% 0.3% 0.8%
20 to 59 years 14.7% 51.5% 33.1% 0.5% 0.2%
50 years and above 12.9% 51.7% 34.7% 0.5% 0.1%
Total 14.3% 51.8% 33.2% 0.5% 0.2%
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 31At least a third of respondents schedule of visits. More women The main reasons for this
in all settlement types reported reported such disruptions than were stated to be a fear of
that they had delayed or men with up to 42% women contracting Covid-19, the high
skipped visits to health centres respondents in urban areas cost and waiting time.
or had not completed planned reporting such disruption.
Delayed, Skipped, or Unable to Complete Healthcare Visits
male 35% 64%
URBAN
female 42% 56%
male 30% 68%
RURAL
female 31% 67%
male 31% 66%
URBAN
PERI-
female 34% 63%
male 30% 69%
CAMP
female 39% 60%
0 20 40 60 80 100
YES NO DON’T KNOW
‘During this crisis, 70 countries have halted childhood vaccination programmes, and
in many places, health services for cancer screening, family planning, or non-Covid-19
infectious diseases have been interrupted or are being neglected. This could reverse
decades of improvement, affecting population health for years to come’.
Editorial, The Lancet41, citing the UN Sustainable Goals Report, 202052
4 - https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(20)30189-4/fulltext#articleInformation,
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(20)30189-4, Published September 2020
5 - https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2020/ accessed 09.01.2021
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 32Our responses:
The huge inequities in health for avoiding infections and
care services have been starkly minimizing negative health
revealed by the pandemic. impacts. Towards ensuring
Alliance2015 members and continued access to basic health
partners are providing hygiene services, Alliance2015 members
items, personal protective are mobilising and training
equipment, Covid-19 test kits local health workers in several
and other medical supplies countries.
to local health centres in
numerous countries. We are
training extension workers to
raise awareness on disease
prevention measures, crucial
© Henry Mhango / Concern Worldwide
Bertha Chiwaya washes her hands before seeing a patient in the ward. Malawi.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 33Our recommendations:
The pandemic calls for a > Maintain and strengthen
significant strengthening of essential health services and
primary, community-based systems during the outbreak
health care services and local and beyond.
care workers who play a crucial
role in controlling the spread > Equip frontline health
of Covid-19. However, they workers with the protection
have been long neglected they need to safely execute
and underfunded, despite the their duties while ensuring
valuable experiences gained infection prevention and
during past epidemics of Ebola control for healthcare seeking
and SARS. Such investments populations.
are also critical towards the
achievement of Universal Health
Coverage (UHC) and delivery on
SDG 3. Concrete actions that are
needed include:
© Cesvi’s archive
Cesvi, Somalia.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 34Education – a lost
generation?
Respondents were asked how
they would describe the access
Access to school Are schools
to schools for the children in compared to pre-covid reopened now
their households compared
to the period before Covid-19.
Overall, 90% of respondents
said they had school aged
children 61 , and of those who
gave an opinion 7.7% said
access to education had
improved (highest in Niger
at 51% followed by Burkina
Faso at 10.4%), 25% said it had
remained the same (highest
in Burundi, where schools did IMPROVED 7,7%
REMAINED THE SAME 25,3%
DON’T KNOW 1,2%
REFUSE TO ANSWER 0,2%
NO 34% YES, SOME 10%
YES, ALL OF THEM 49% DON’T KNOW 7%
not close, at 92.6%, followed GOT WORSE 65,1%
by Ukraine at 52.1%), but most
respondents (65%) stated it got
worse. This was highest in the been closed, they were asked While Burundi kept the schools
occupied Palestinian Territory if they had been reopened. open throughout the period,
(oPT) (98.9%), followed by Almost half (48.2%) said yes all countries like Malawi, Pakistan,
Liberia (at 93%) and Ecuador of them had re-opened, almost Afghanistan and Madagascar
(86.8%). In only two countries, one tenth (9.7%) said some have re-opened their schools.
Niger and Burundi, did less than had, while 34% of respondents Amongst respondents who
one quarter of respondents said schools had not reopened. identified schools had not
say the schooling situation had Bolivia, Guatemala and Nepal reopened, 31.2% said none of
worsened (24.8% and 6.9% have the most stringent policies their children had access to
respectively). towards school opening with education. Where respondents
Among families with younger all respondents reporting that said some of the schools had
children, in the age group of 4 to the schools were still closed reopened, a similar proportion
16, over 90% report that schools at the time of the survey. said none of their children had
in their locality had been closed In Bangladesh, most of the access to education (31.4%)
at some stage as part of the respondents were from the whereas a much lower, 13%
measures to control the spread refugee camps, where the percentage, of people gave this
of the virus. If respondents disruption of education was answer where all schools were
indicated that schools had reported to be nearly universal. opened.
6 - There was an unusually high proportion of respondents in Ukraine (73%), Georgia (57%) and Bolivia (35.6%) who did not
have children, this is reflective of the target groups the A2015 agencies are working with in these countries.
Covid-19 & Community Resilience FEBRUARY 2021 35You can also read
