{"id":836,"date":"2020-07-28T09:00:50","date_gmt":"2020-07-28T09:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/sustainable-global-society\/?p=836"},"modified":"2020-11-17T12:01:34","modified_gmt":"2020-11-17T12:01:34","slug":"the-impact-of-covid-19-around-the-world-iob-collective-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/iob\/the-impact-of-covid-19-around-the-world-iob-collective-research\/","title":{"rendered":"The impact of Covid-19 around the world: IOB collective research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Which measures have been taken around the world to contain the spread of CoViD-19? What is the level of popular support for these measures in different countries? How are they enforced? How did different countries make the decisions on which measures to take? We asked our 1158 IOB alumni and our 77 current IOB students. Collectively we researched these topics. Additionally, we asked them about the economic, socio-political and gendered impact of the pandemic and the containment measures.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Compilation by authors. Figure 1 shows the countries on which we received contributions and\/or qualitative comments, and the number of contributions per country<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Contributors and Countries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We received responses from 193 alumni and 25 students. The contributors could choose on which country they would report. 84 per cent chose to report on their country of origin, while 16 per cent chose to report on their country of residence. Figure 1 shows the countries on which we received contributions, and the number of contributions per country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On average, contributors are 38 years old and 45%  are women. Many of them work in international organizations or NGOs (38%), in academia (23%) and for the government (22%). A smaller proportion is self-employed or works in the private sector (14%); 11% are still students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Measures taken, adoption and popular support <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We conducted an online survey, asking about 17\npossible measures to contain CoViD-19. Figure 2 shows the share of countries in\nour sample that adopted a specific measure, how strictly that measure was\nadhered to on average, and the level of popular support for each measure, all\nas perceived by the respondents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On average, countries have taken 14.3 measures. The\npromotion of washing hands (97%) and of social distancing (95%) are the most\nfrequently employed measures. They are followed by the closing of universities,\nschools, and international borders (94-95%), the suspension of religious\ngatherings (94%), the closing of hotels, restaurants and bars (92%), and mask\nwearing requirements (90%). The vast majority of countries also restricted\nmovements between regions (84%), and ordered the closing of non-food shops\n(79%). A smaller share of countries, but still more than half, closed informal\nfood markets (70%), imposed a curfew (65%) and suspended public transport\n(59%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Measures were adhered to \u2018Rather strictly\u2019, with an\naverage score of 3.2 on a scale of (1) Not at all strictly<\/em>, to (4) Very strictly<\/em>. The citizenry was \u2018Rather supportive of measures\u2019,\non average, also with a score of 3.2 on a scale of (1) Not at all<\/em> to (4) Very supportive<\/em>. Some measures enjoyed maximum support (e.g. closing\nof universities, secondary and primary schools; hand washing) while other\nmeasures have been more unpopular (e.g. curfew; closing of food markets and\nshops; suspension of public transport).   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

High dependency on informal employment and high rates of poverty explain the lack of widespread popular support for some measures, according to our key informants. Additionally, a poor understanding of the disease combined with ambiguous political communication about the pandemic contribute to a lack of support. Here are some telling quotes:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Click image for larger version.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 2: Measures taken, degree of adoption and popular support as perceived by our respondents<\/em>. Click image for larger version.<\/em> Note: Panel A presents the share of countries in our sample that adopted the measures. Panel B shows the extent to what the measures were followed on average ( 1=Not at all strictly, 2=Rather not strictly, 3=Rather strictly, 4= Very strictly) and Panel C shows how much population support each measure enjoyed (1=Not at all supportive, 2= Rather not supportive, 3= Rather supportive, 4=Very supportive). Panels B and C are based on averages across countries and gives each country equal weight.<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Consultation and Implementation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In most countries, respondents report that the measures were discussed with stakeholders, either \u2018a lot\u2019 (31%) or at least \u2018somewhat\u2019 (43%), while in less than one third of countries, respondents report that the measures taken have rather not (21%) or not at all (5%) been discussed. For most countries, key respondents reported that enforcement was either mild (27%) or strict but acceptable (43%). In one out of five countries (19%), respondents found the enforcement of the measures by security forces unacceptable but non-violent, and in two countries (3%) key respondents reported unacceptable violence by security forces. These respondents wish not to be named for safety reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click image for larger version.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 3: Consultation with the stakeholders and enforcement of the measures. <\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We cross-correlated stakeholder consultation and the way of enforcement with the five Governance Indicators<\/a> (Voice and Accountability, Political Stability and Absence of Violence\/Terrorism, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law and Control of Corruption). We find very clear patterns, indicating a strong link between \u2018a lot of consultation\u2019 and \u2018good governance\u2019 and between \u2018unacceptable (violent) enforcement\u2019 and \u2018bad governance\u2019 (Figure 4, Panel A & B).  For instance, countries with \u2018a lot of consultation\u2019 have a percentile rank of 52 on \u2018Voice and Accountability\u2019, on average, versus a rank of 39 for countries without any consultation. Even more strikingly, countries with \u2018unacceptable and violent enforcement\u2019 rank only in the 7th<\/sup> percentile, on average, for the indicator \u2018Political Stability and Absence of Violence\/Terrorism\u2019 versus a percentile rank of 45 for countries with no enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click images for larger version.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 4, Panel A: Level of consultation and Governance Indicators.<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Figure 4, Panel B: Way of enforcement and Governance Indicators.<\/em> Note: Figure 4 is based on the average level of consultation and enforcement of measures across countries, while governance indicators are taken from the <\/em>Worldwide Governance Indicators<\/em><\/a> and are expressed in Percentile ranks,  indicating the country’s rank among all countries covered by the aggregate indicator, with 0 corresponding to lowest rank, and 100 to highest rank.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Socio-economic impacts of the crisis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Containment measures  greatly affected the food supply chain. Survey\nrespondents in most countries (79%) reported an increase in food prices, with the\nincrease ranging between 5% and 10% in about half of the countries, and between\n10% and 40% in a quarter of countries. In three countries food prices\nreportedly doubled (South Sudan, Zimbabwe and Cambodia).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact of the crisis on economic\nactivity is perceived to be very substantial in 70% of the countries and rather\nsubstantial in 28%. When asked about remittances, respondents report a small\ndecrease in 13% of the countries, a moderate decrease in 36% and a substantially\ndecreasein 34%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

IOB Alumna Rhoda Natukunda (Uganda) describes the economic consequences in her country.\u201cBusinesses have had to lay off employees both permanently and temporarily, there\u2019s limited access to agricultural inputs and constraints to accessing markets by farmers\u201d. <\/em> In the Philippines, \u201cmillions lost their jobs. The daily wage earners were most vulnerable. Farmers could not transport their produce. Income levels went down.\u201d<\/em> (Respondent prefers to remain anonymous). Similarly, \u201cmost of the workers in the informal sector (hawkers) experienced a reduction in income as most people choose to stay home. The cost of living has increased as prices of basic necessities and public transport kept increasing\u201d<\/em> in Cameroon (Respondent prefers to remain anonymous). Maria Jose Perez also reported that \u201ca lot of people start hanging white flags to ask for food supplies because they can’t work to buy food\u201d<\/em> in Guatemala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Click image for larger version.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 5: Economic impacts of the Covid-19 crisis.<\/em> Note: Figure 5 is based on respondents\u2019 perception averaged by country on the economic impacts of the crisis.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Respondents mentioned several social protection measures that were put in place in order to soften the socioeconomic consequences of the crisis: delayed tax payments, low-or-no interest loans with flexible terms, cash grants, voucher schemes, distance learning programs, temporary unemployment benefits, subsidies to small businesses, delayed payment for utility services (water, electricity, internet connection and even house rent), etc.[1]<\/a> A regularly updated overview of social protection measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is provided by Gentilini et al<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broader repercussions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the economy, the corona crisis is perceived to\nhave broader societal effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, in 61% of countries, respondents feel that solidarity and social cohesion among the population has increased. A concrete example is the \u201cProud Withstanding fund initiative whereby wealthy people donate to provide assistance to the poor\u201d, <\/em>as reported by Naser Qadous (Palestinian Territories). In a minority of countries (7%) cohesion is reported to have decreased. According to Rumbidzai Mpahlo (Zimbabwe), \u201cPeople in poorer communities have noted that the conditions of the lockdown tend to benefit the rich and not them. While the home can be a space of refuge against this pandemic, it is not necessarily so in communities which are overcrowded, under-protected, under-serviced, marginalized and poor.<\/em>\u201d According to a respondent from the United States (who prefers to remain anonymous) the pandemic has\u201cincreased the death rate for Latino and Afro American populations due to structural inequalities, including difficulties to access social services\u201d<\/em>. Besides making existing inequalities between groups more visible, the pandemic also led to the emergence of new cleavages. John Folly Akwetey (Ghana) reports that \u201cthere were issues about stigmatization of mostly returned migrants, since people tag them as the carrier of the virus\u201d<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding the impacts of the crisis on education, Abu\nSaid Juel Miah (Bangladesh) says \u201cDistant\nclasses aired through television or online classes have not yet been able to\nattract the students. The lower participation in distant learning is evident\namong the students from ethnic minorities, madrasas, children with\ndisabilities, and those living in rural areas\u201d. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our respondents also foresee both political (in 9 countries out of 10) and gendered (in 8 countries out of 10) impacts of the Covid-19 crisis. Among the political consequences of the crisis are postponement of planned elections because of the lockdown and loss (or win) of political support depending on the crisis management by the government. For instance, alumnus John Folly Akwetey (Ghana) says: \u201cPolitically, we are in an election year in Ghana. If the situation with Covid-19 crisis persists, our country could face huge political crisis due to the fact that our constitution never made room for situation like this\u201d. <\/em>And Yohannes Abraha from Ethiopia reports: \u201cthe ruling party declared that the general election supposed to take place in September 2020 is postponed indefinitely till the end of the pandemic. Tigray region on its part rejected the decision to postpone election indefinitely and vow to hold election at regional level. In response to Tigray region\u2019s announcement, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, threatened the region that the government should take measures, including military, should the region stick to its plan.\u201d <\/em>More generally, and as observed by Human Rights Watch<\/a>, the coronavirus crisis may provide authoritarian-minded leaders with a convenient pretext to silence critics and consolidate power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, the pandemic has also provided citizens with a policy experiment to evaluate its leaders. In some countries this turned out in favour of the incumbents. Respondents from Vietnam and Uganda report that the government enjoys stronger support of the population. They have gained more trust from the people for effectively fighting the virus. In contrast, in both Ecuador and Nicaragua it is reported that ruling parties have lost trust and legitimacy, are widely criticized and may face severe consequence during the upcoming elections. In the same vein, \u201cthe outlook of reelection of President Trump has turned negative due to shortcomings in his administration’s response to the crisis and presidential communications\u201d, <\/em>says an anonymous alumnus reporting on the USA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other (potential) consequences of the crisis are the rise of nationalist discourses (Santiago Silva, Colombia) and of extreme\/populist parties (2 anonymous, Belgium), an increase in xenophobic violence (Anonymous, reporting on South Africa); but also the emergence of new political figures (Zalwango Evelyn, Uganda),  a shift from ethnic-based politics towards class based politics (Peter Kirui, Kenya) and an increased digitalization of political and mobilization activities (Kondwani Farai Chikadza, Malawi).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a series of blogs based on this research project, we will dive deeper into issues such as gender, migration and M&E. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[1]<\/a> For a complete description of coping measures taken by countries, refer to https:\/\/www.ugogentilini.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Country-SP-COVID-responses_May22.pdf<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Survey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The survey was created by Marijke Verpoorten, Sara Dewachter and Dimitri Renmans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student\/alumni contributors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Henryson Jusu (Sierra Leone) ,Godfrey Bwanika (Uganda), Naisula Lepariyo (Kenya), Ana J\u00falia (Brazil) ,Cica Mathilda Dadjo (Benin), Rumbidzai Mpahlo (Zimbabwe), Lien Verbeeck (Belgium), Santiago Silva (Colombia), Samuel S. Omwa (Uganda), Tsegazeab Bezabih (Ethiopia), Salamula Jenipher Biira (Uganda), Dramane Bako (Burkina Faso), Roxane Lemercier (Belgium), Jonathan (Philippines), John Folly Akwetey (Ghana), Naser Qadous (Palestinian Territories), Idrissa Tamba Bindi (Sierra Leone), Manzo Abdourahamane (Niger), Juan Fernando D\u00edaz Lara (Guatemala), Fernando Cando Ortega (Ecuador), Herv\u00e9 Kouand\u00e9 (C\u00f4te d’Ivoire), Tatevik Davtyan (Armenia), Mayank Sharma (India), Daniela Cristina (Argentina), Abeer Hakouz (Jordan), Bonnie Kiconco K. Mutungi (Uganda),John Melgarejo (Colombia), Maja Vukovic (Montenegro), Geraldine Bythell (Belgium), Camila Contreras (Chile), Huong Vu (Viet Nam), Dennis Penu (Ghana), Silvia Gonz\u00e1lez (Ecuador), Natalia Khabalova (Russian Federation), Alemayehu Semunigus (Ethiopia), Boltana Tesfaye Falaha (Ethiopia), Lorena Meza (Peru), Richard Temu (United Republic of Tanzania), Igor Coura de Mendon\u00e7a (Brazil), Nurina Savitri (Indonesia),Isaac Senyonjo (Uganda), Manzoor E Khoda (Bangladesh), Carlos Allende Gonz\u00e1lez (Mexico), Aynul Islam (Bangladesh),Joseph Gana Zanyine (Cameroon), Mar\u00eda Jos\u00e9 P\u00e9rez (Guatemala), Habtamu Alemu Jano (Ethiopia), Marcelo Clavijo (Bolivia), Le Le Lan (Viet Nam), Jazzie Alexander (Philippines), Firoz Ahmed (Bangladesh), Gers\u00e1n V\u00e1squez (Nicaragua), Chilufya Nchito (Zambia), Nancy Ampudia (Ecuador), Rusudan Kardava (Georgia), Thuy (Viet Nam), Cristina Rotaru (Estonia), Shulby Yozar Ariadhy (Indonesia), Zjos Vlaminck (Belgium), Lani Tang (Philippines), Eshetu Demissie (Ethiopia), Kelvin Chirwa (Malawi), Ana Guevara (Bolivia), Adeline Uwonkunda (Rwanda), Nguyen Dinh Tuan (Viet Nam), Ouss\u00e9ni Kinda (Burkina Faso), Abu Said Juel Miah (Bangladesh), Isah Matovu (Uganda), Kondwani Farai Chikadza (Malawi), Annette Kyakuwa Mutoni (Uganda), Pedro Samuel Zapil (Guatemala), Joy Valerie Lopez-Tancioco (Philippines), Abdurahman Hamza (Ethiopia), Yeabsira Tamerat Delelegne (Ethiopia), Maria-Jose Rivera (Ecuador), Dieter Gijsbrechts (Belgium), Dilip Raj Bhatta (Nepal), Kefa Kawanguzi (Uganda), Lovy Rasolofomanana (Madagascar), Maazullah Mamond (Afghanistan), Laura L\u00f3pez Mu\u00f1oz (Colombia), Arsyoni Buana (Indonesia), Nyamadzawo Sibanda (Zimbabwe), Abraham Getachew (Ethiopia), Sharda Khanal (Nepal), Harold Mabwe (United Republic of Tanzania), Arthur Katongole (Uganda), Hauvre Somova (Philippines), Ndille Ndille Kogge (Cameroon), Fatoumatta Saho (Gambia), A H M Belayeth Hussain (Bangladesh), Chrispine Botha (Malawi), Monica Patricia Ni\u00f1o Pe\u00f1a (Colombia), Pierre Merlet (Nicaragua), Cornelius Habeene Muvwema (Zambia), Nahid Sharmin (Bangladesh), Lucia L\u00f3pez (Peru), Mikiti M’panda Henry (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Lanny Jauhari (Indonesia), Essa Chanie Mussa (Ethiopia), Michael Gison (Philippines), Grace Dingase Chisamya (Malawi), Eddah Kanini (Kenya), Huong Giang Tran (Viet Nam), Rhoda Nkubah Natukunda (Uganda), Awuor Ponge (Kenya), Joel Siku (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Andrea Mazzini (Ecuador), Veronica Notaro (Italy), Narayan Gyawali (Nepal), Jamie Robertsen (South Africa), Shanjida Shahab Uddin (Bangladesh), Jones Mulenga Bowa (Zambia), Abhinav Alexander Dutt (India), Dejen Minyilu Aragaw (Ethiopia), Sarah Vissers (Netherlands), Nkengfua Alexander (Cameroon), Claudia V. L\u00f3pez (Guatemala), Marianelly (Peru), Arnoux Mouafo Nopi (Cameroon), Roy Mutandwa (Zimbabwe), Achem Nkongho Princewill (Cameroon), Zahira Auladin (Mauritius), Ajadi Moheed Adenkunle (Nigeria), Mshinwa Edith Banzi (United Republic of Tanzania), Getachew Dinsa Amente (Ethiopia), Rose P. Villar (Philippines), Tumusiime Collins (Uganda), Al Hassan Cisse (Senegal), Alexandra Maldonado Nu\u00f1ez (Ecuador), Zalwango Evelyn (Uganda), Kubalasa Dalitso (Malawi), Paul Arias (Ecuador), Zerihun Berhane Weldegebriel (Ethiopia), Mary Chilala (Zambia), Angeline Ndabaningi (Zimbabwe), Ali Ag\u00f6ren (Turkey), Trosy (Zimbabwe), Nicholas Mugabi (Uganda), Peter Kirui (Kenya), Wendy Garcia (Nicaragua), Mugisho Chihyoka Laurent (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Gonzalo Antonio Bilbao La Vieja Ruiz (Bolivia), Mapudi Eric Morakiwa (South Africa), Ferdous Farhana Huq (Bangladesh), Yohannes Abraha (Ethiopia), William Pallangyo (United Republic of Tanzania).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Which measures have been taken around the world to contain the spread of CoViD-19? What is the level of popular support for these measures in different countries? How are they enforced? How did different countries make the decisions on which measures to take? We asked our 1158 IOB alumni and our 77 current IOB students.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":860,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"coauthors":[95,53,96,97,98],"class_list":["post-836","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/iob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/836","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/iob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/iob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/iob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/iob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=836"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/iob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/836\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":899,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/iob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/836\/revisions\/899"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/iob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/iob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=836"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/iob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=836"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/iob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=836"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/iob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=836"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}