COVID-19 & Poverty

Due to widespread poverty, lack of infrastructure, and fragile health systems in many countries throughout sub-Saharan Africa, researchers and policymakers are concerned about how African countries will respond to the COVID-19 crisis. We shed light on the preparedness of African countries to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and investigate the economic, physical, and mental impact of the COVID-19 crisis on one of the most vulnerable groups – the urban poor. In addition, we study the resilience of health systems by analyzing the provision of essential health services that are non-COVID-19 related in times of the COVID-19 crisis.

Using household survey data for more than 30 low- and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa, we study the preparedness of countries in Africa to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, by focusing on a readiness metrics related to social distancing measures, health infrastructure, hygiene guidelines, and the impact of the crisis on household wellbeing.

We also conducted a three-round panel survey with more than 1400 poor households in Accra and Greater Johannesburg, two of the African cities with the most COVID-19 infections, to better understand how one of the most vulnerable groups globally – the urban poor – are affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Lastly, we used an extensive data set of monthly administrative data to identify interruptions in the health service provision in Ghana. We created an online dashboard with results at the district level provides insights into which areas experience a higher interruption in essential maternal and child health services.

Researchers: Antoinette van der Merwe, Isabel Günther, Kathrin Durizzo, Kenneth Harttgen,