High Frequency Phone Survey COVID-19, 2020-2022 (Sudan)
Abstract
Like the rest of the world, Sudan has been experiencing the unprecedented social and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. From restrictions on movement to school closures and lockdowns, the economic situation worsened, and commodity prices soared across the country. Results from the first six rounds of the High-Frequency Phone survey indicated that household welfare was negatively affected. The situation led to the loss of employment and income, decreased access to essential commodities and services, and food insecurity, particularly among the poor and vulnerable Sudanese. Moreover, the inability to access food and medicine degraded in July/August 2021 despite a slight amelioration in February/April 2021.
After COVID-19 in 2020, Sudan experienced situations that are more likely to compromise the recovery process. Political instability, unrest, and protests occurred before and after the military takeover in October 2021. Meanwhile, Sudan Central Bank devalued the currency, which may increase the already high commodities price. Besides, Sudan encountered historic flooding since the onset of the rainy season between May and June 2022. To monitor and assess the dynamics of the impacts of the country's economic and political situation (high inflation, social unrest, food shortages, asset loss, displacement, etc.) on households' welfare, another round of the Sudan High-Frequency Phone survey took place in June to August 2022.
Similar to the six previous rounds, the survey was conducted using mobile phones and covered all 18 states of Sudan. Round 7 sample is composed of 2816 Households from both urban and rural areas of Sudan. This sample allows us to draw statistical inferences about the Sudanese population at the national and rural/urban levels. The risk of nonresponse was a concern, so efforts were made to minimize this risk, including follow-up with respondents who failed to respond and keep the interviews short (15–20 minutes) to reduce respondent fatigue.
The questions are similar to the previous six rounds of the High-Frequency Phone survey but with added context. Households are asked about the key channels through which individuals and households are expected to be affected by the exchange rate distortions, country political instability, or flooding that occurred in May/June 2022, as well as how they have recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic impacts. Furthermore, questions cover a range of topics/themes including, but not limited to, health conditions, access to health facilities, access to other social services, availability of common food and non-food items (including medicines), nutrition and food security, employment/labor, income, assets, coping strategies, remittances, subjective welfare, climate/weather events, and the safety nets assistance.