Differences in the Early Impact of COVID-19 on Food Security and Livelihoods and in Rural and Urban Areas in the Asia Pacific Region

OBJECTIVES: Lockdowns due to COVID-19 had health, economic, social, and political consequences globally. This study examined if the early impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods and food security differed between rural and urban areas in six Asia-Pacific countries. METHODS: Secondary data analysis was conducted in May 2029 using a total of 13,522 household survey data collected cross-sectionally among socially disadvantaged populations through a World Vision's rapid response assessment (n = 13,522) in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Changes in food expenditure, availability of various food items, and accessibility and affordability of essential items (staple food, fresh foods, medicine, and hygiene) were tested between rural and urban areas using multivariate logistic regressions, accounting for confounding variables. RESULTS: Job loss or reduced income was prevalent (rang: 54.1%–89.6%), higher in urban than rural areas in all six countries. A higher percentage of households reduced food expenditure in urban areas (53.0%–80.3%) than in rural areas (34.2%–66.4%) in India, Myanmar, and Vietnam (all P < 0.001). The proportion of households having no food stock varied in six countries (13.4%-66.0%), with lower odds of available food stocks in urban areas than rural areas (OR range in Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar: 0.30–0.53, all P < 0.05). Access to essential items was moderate to high depending on the type of item. Essential medicines were more accessible in urban than in rural areas with an OR range of 1.88–5.63 in India, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Household affordability was low particularly for rent (3.8%-16.6%) and loan repayment (3.3%-19.9%), with higher affordability for rent payments in urban than in rural areas with an OR range of 1.98–22.2 across four countries (P < 0.05). Access and affordability for essential items were better in urban areas than in rural areas in Vietnam. CONCLUSIONS: Disproportional differences were found in experiencing food security and livelihoods between rural and urban areas in six Asia Pacific countries. An understanding of the differential implications of lockdowns related to COVID-19 by residence can inform specifically recovery policies and guide mitigation efforts. FUNDING SOURCES: N/A