View the powerpoint slides here
COVID-19 began as a health crisis but has, in time, triggered a grave and unfolding economic crisis with particular concerns for the poor and vulnerable. For effective policy response to the poverty consequences of the COVID-19 crisis, the importance of real-time evidence cannot be over-emphasized. Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) and BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) teamed up to launch the “Rapid survey on immediate economic vulnerabilities created by COVID-19 and the coping mechanisms of poor and marginal people” utilizing respondent telephone databases from earlier surveys on urban slums and rural poor.
To unveil the results of this rapid research initiative, a virtual press conference was broadcasted through a live session on BIGD’s Facebook page. Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman, PPRC, and Dr Imran Matin, Executive Director, BIGD shared the key findings of the survey through an online presentation.
A total of 5,471 respondents were reached through telephone by a combined survey team of 51 from the two institutions. Among other findings, drastic drop across all types of occupations were found. Furthermore, average income dropped for far below poverty line for everyone, including the vulnerable non-poor. This research is intended to support better policy responses and design of support programs for the vulnerable population.
