RECOVR Côte D'Ivoire: Tracking the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Côte d'Ivoire Agriculture Education Financial Inclusion Governance Health & Nutrition Peace & Recovery Entrepreneurship & Private Sector Development Social Protection

RECOVR Côte D'Ivoire: Tracking the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Researchers

Shana Warren, Doug Parkerson, Elliott Collins

Abstract

Tracking how people’s lives are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can enable policymakers to better understand the situation in their countries and make data-driven policy decisions. To respond to this need, IPA has developed the RECOVR survey—a panel survey that will facilitate comparisons, document real-time trends of policy concern, and inform decision-makers about the communities that are hardest-hit by the economic toll of the pandemic. In Côte d'Ivoire, the survey is building on a partnership with the Ministry of Employment and surveying an existing sample of economically active respondents, with sections on employment and businesses and education tailored specifically to the country’s context. The survey will provide the Ministry with data on how the pandemic is affecting employment and business outcomes, particularly for youth and vulnerable populations, to inform its policy responses.

Project Outcomes of Interest

Some of the key questions the survey aims to answer at the global level include the size and scope of the disruptions to government service provision, work disruptions and type of disruptions, whether and how households with school-aged children are spending time on education since schools have been closed, extent to which people are skipping necessary healthcare, identification of populations most at risk of skipping necessary healthcare. The Côte d'Ivoire survey includes health symptoms and care, COVID-19 mitigation behavior, education, work and income, social safety net support received, food and market security, and financial health, with a particular focus on education and employment/business outcomes.

Partners

Côte d'Ivoire Ministry of Employment, Côte d'Ivoire Ministry of Education

Key Findings

Round 1:

  • 41% of respondents say they feel their household is at risk of contracting COVID-19. Those who do not feel at risk overwhelmingly cite following preventive measures as a reason
  • More than 70% of respondents say they have had to deplete savings to pay for food since February 2020
  • 65% of employed individuals have earned less pay than they did in a typical week before the government closed schools
  • While 35% of employed individuals report spending fewer hours working, 47% report working the same hours working for pay/running a business/helping on a family business than they did in a typical week before the government closed schools
  • 69% of respondents with children intend to continue to using Eneza once schools reopen

Round 2:

  • Nearly 40% of respondents report feeling that anyone in their household is at risk of contracting COVID-19, which stayed largely consistent across rounds. For those who do not feel at risk for COVID-19, 77% cite that it is because they follow protective measures.

  • 13% of adults report limiting portion sizes due to an inability to buy food for all 7 days in the last week, compared to 9% of those under 18. The majority have not had to limit portions during the last week.

  • Almost one fifth of non-poor respondents can obtain 65,000 FCFA within 30 days through savings, compared to only one eighth of poor respondents. Male respondents are more likely to obtain 65,000 FCFA within 30 days from working or savings, whereas female respondents are more likely to rely on family or friends.

  • Heads of household both in and outside of Abidjan indicate similar employment rates as in February, but nearly half report earning less.

  • Only 25% of students in lycee were reported having taken their exams.

Link to Results

Round 1: Full results presentation (in French), blog post (in English) summarizing the key takeaways, and video recordings of webinars (in English and French) sharing the results and their policy implications

Round 2: Full results presentation (in French), full results presentation (in English), blog post (in English) summarizing the key takeaways, and video recordings of webinars (in English and French) sharing the results and their policy implications

Impact Goals

  • Build resilience and protect the financial health of families and individuals
  • Build resilient and adaptable businesses and employment opportunities
  • Improve social-safety net responses
  • Improve women’s health, safety, and economic empowerment
  • Keep children safe, healthy, and learning
  • Promote peace and safety, and improve humanitarian response
  • Reduce COVID-19 transmission rates

Project Data Collection Mode

  • CATI (Computer-assisted telephone interviewing)

Link to Data Collection Instruments

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gGnuFD4IZ_SX3iaMrp3eFw4gGHSnPrhHlmcAw2ZN9vc/edit#gid=602274293

Link to Public Data

https://dataverse.harvard.edu/dataset.xhtml?persistentId=doi:10.7910/DVN/UJQPGD

Results Status

Results