Low-income people of the country are suffering great losses in their earnings since the enforcement of social distancing measures and lockdowns to fight Novel Coronavirus. Extreme poverty has risen 60 percentage points than before, while 14% of people do not have any food at home.
On the other hand, 36% of people do not have any clear idea about measures to be taken to prevent COVID-19. Most people even do not have any idea about the message that one should not directly go to any health facility with symptoms of the infection (fever, cough, breathing problem). 53% of respondents said they would suggest neighbors with these symptoms go to an urban hospital or public healthcare center. Only 29% said they would ask the patient to call on the helpline.
This picture of economic impact and disease perception came through a countrywide perception survey conducted by BRAC. A total of 2675 respondents from a low-income background in all 64 districts participated in the survey carried out from 31 March to 5 April. BRAC’s Advocacy for Social Change program conducted the survey with assistance from other programs namely Microfinance, Urban Development Programme and Partnership Strengthening Unit.
Based on the scenario drawn through a survey, a number of recommendations have also been made, including the following ones.
Focused on large-scale awareness campaigns on prevention, management, and treatment should run on TV and social media. Food assistance must be immediately reached to the millions of households across the country suffering from acute food shortage.
Living conditions are difficult for many in Bangladesh.
Otherwise, they will be compelled to leave home to find their living in violation of the social distancing measures, increasing the risk of spreading corona infection. People who have returned to villages from urban centers are not enrolled in any social safety net programs and so needs proper delivery mechanisms to get food aid immediately. Special attention is needed to keep the agricultural value chain from stalling.
Plummeting prices of agricultural products and costly transportation costs can increase rural poverty and create social unrest. The harvesting of ‘Boro’ rice will start from mid-April to continue until the end of May. Advance purchase of crops by the government can ensure the required money for the farmers to start the harvesting. Plans and mechanisms should be devised to financially assist rural businesses to recover loss and be operative again.
