The Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19 in Sudan: Results from the Sudan High-Frequency Survey on COVID-19, 2020: The Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19 in Sudan: Results from the Sudan High-Frequency Survey on COVID-19, 2020

Abstract

The coronavirus outbreaks and the measures taken to control their spread negatively impacted the global economy. This study aims to provide insights into the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 in Sudan, using data from the Sudan High-Frequency Survey on Covid-19 conducted by phone. The study used descriptive and analytical statistical analysis. The results revealed that about 98% of the population heard about the coronavirus. However, the measures taken to limit the spread of the virus were more practiced in Khartoum than in other regions. An estimate of about 1.7 million households (47%) lost income from any source due to COVID-19. Accordingly, around 25%-30% of households could not access staple foods and medicine. More than 90% of school- children in all regions, except Khartoum (76%), were not engaged in any education activity during school closures. Adopted coping strategies were living on previous savings in 1.3 million households (22%), reducing food consumption in 2.8 million households (48%), reducing non-food consumption in 1.4 million households (23%), relying on credit purchasing in 873,362 households (15%), and engaging in additional income-generating activities in 389,003 households (7%) while 7% received assistance from friends and relatives. These results will enable policymakers to design result-based policies to mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of coronavirus in Sudan and to learn lessons for future precautions.