The COVID-19 pandemic 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 for Governance and Development (BIGD) teamed up to launch a rapid response telephonic survey utilizing respondent telephone databases from earlier surveys on urban slums and rural poor. The survey questionnaire included four modules: i) mobility during the crisis, ii) impact of the crisis on their livelihoods, iii) coping mechanisms, and iv) needs and expectations on required support. While the instrument was wholly quantitative and close-ended, enumerators were advised to note any qualitative observations shared by the respondents in the course of the telephonic conversation. The conclusions drawn from the research included- deep and system-wide poverty impact and emergence of a “new poor” class necessitates a rethinking of approaches to poverty, among others. Also, the initial poverty impact of Covid-19 crisis has been more severe for the urban poor.
Authors: Rahman, Hossain Zillur; Das, Narayan; Matin, Imran; Wazed, Mohammad Abdul; Ahmed, Shakil; Jahan, Nusrat; Zillur, Umama
Type: Report
Year: 2020
