Our latest research is the first of three bulletins investigating the negative social and economic impacts of the pandemic in the Philippines, Zambia, Malawi and Ethiopia. We found that for many people living in poverty, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and related restrictions are double shocks upon existing vulnerabilities and crises, such as drought, natural hazards and conflict.
Read the key findings summarised below and sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with the bulletins.
Ethiopia key findings
Higher costs of food staples combined with reduced income are causing households to reduce daily meals and threaten food security. Many households interviewed said they eat one meal per day less than before the pandemic and some households reported skipping meals for an entire day.
There has been a higher rate of school drop-out, and increased rates of child marriage.
Support networks have been disrupted. A number of respondents identified these support networks as being critical to their wellbeing, noting material and psychological strains due to these disruptions.
"The poorest who do not have necessary items and depend on daily subsistence have been most affected. About 600 households did not have enough food for immediate consumption. We organised the community to contribute grain to support the poorest. It was not enough." Key informant, Amhara, Ethiopia
Philippines key findings
Most micro-businesses such as neighbourhood stores and tricycle transport service have seen as much as a 60% drop in income due to a nationwide lockdown from 15 March to 1 June 2020. As the lockdown was eased, the financial situation of many micro-businesses improved but not to pre-pandemic levels.
Most respondents said they have significantly changed their food expenditures and are eating less as a consequence of their loss of income due to the pandemic.
Women, especially divorced or separated women, have been the hardest hit by livelihood losses and added caring responsibilities.
Many people have faced the double shock of the pandemic and devastating natural disasters. Some respondents' houses were destroyed in typhoons and others’ crops were ruined by drought, increasing the financial challenges brought on by the pandemic.
“There are days in a week when my family waits for me to come home with my morning’s earnings to buy food for lunch. If the amount is not enough for all of us to eat, the children eat first then I go out again to earn some more for a meal for my wife and myself.” Male respondent, Bicol region, Philippines
Malawi key findings
Pandemic-induced market disruptions are having the greatest impact on our interviewees, with trade disrupted in local markets, farmers unable to sell goods and the prices of staple goods increasing. Many who have lost livelihoods report cutting out a meal a day - some even report cutting out two meals per day.
Many also noted that the costs of masks, while relatively small, were preventing poorer households from accessing markets where they are required.
Girls are at high risk, with school closures linked to increased rates of teenage pregnancy, child marriage, child trafficking and protection concerns.
“A lot of children will drop out of school. Already from the previous closure of schools, a lot of girls here were pregnant and ended up in early marriages. If the schools remain closed for a long time, we expect lots more girls to drop out due to pregnancies and enter into marriages.” Key informant, Balaka, Malawi
Zambia key findings
Impacts of Covid 19 build on a half-decade of impoverishment due to interconnected droughts, loss of employment, inflation and the debt crisis, in a situation where few impact mitigation measures were put in place.
Small business owners and informal workers report loss of income. Some micro, small and medium enterprises such as bars, cinemas, lodges, hotels, salons and barbershops were completely shut down while others were allowed to operate with restricted hours and conditions.
All respondents say the price of essential food and non-food items (such as healthcare) have gone up, leading to nutrition being considered a ‘luxury’ by some households who report only focus on filling their stomachs. This has been a trend pre-Covid as well as has loss of employment.
Older people have been significantly impacted by the pandemic, with some reporting they are going days without food. Movement restrictions have also limited their contact with support networks, such as relatives and church communities.
“We only eat when someone helps out, otherwise we spend days without food, and we recently ate a few days ago. Our only focus is to fill our stomachs, the type of food doesn’t matter, and we, therefore, eat whatever we come across. Nutrition is a luxury; we are okay as long as we fill our stomachs.” Female respondent, Zambia