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Covid-19 – Responding to the other pandemic
A crisis is a great opportunity, especially for research. Try telling that to Malti Devi in rural Bihar, the poverty bowl of India. Her flower crops wilted even as places of worship closed their doors. In remote Kenya, Agnes was manufacturing trinkets for tourists. She knows that they are not coming, not now or in the near future.
This website is a tribute to Malti Devi, Agnes and countless women braving the ‘Other Pandemic’. We do not capture facile stories of poverty. Presented here is the economic impact of the crisis and the financial pain it has left in its wake. We salute poor women who have been plunged, it seems, into a bottomless pit. Even as we capture the events unfold, we are sure of one thing – poor people will rebound. Not because of handouts and doles but because of their sheer energy and grit. We dedicate this website to Malti Devi, Agnes and the many poor women across the globe. They have taught us so much and continue to be a source of endless learning and inspiration.
We at MSC are uniquely placed to respond to the crisis. We are using our established relationships with poor communities to provide their perspectives for policy-makers and financial service providers. The insights from the Malti Devis and Agneses are essential to optimize responses to the health and economic pandemic sweeping the developing world.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs): Bangladesh report
The COVID-19 crisis has proven devastating for MSMEs in Bangladesh, which have seen their revenues reduce to almost half. Our report analyzes the pandemic’s economic consequences on MSMEs and highlights their coping strategies. It also provides policy recommendations to help them recover.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on low- and moderate-income (LMIs) populations and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)- Comparative report
This report provides an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on low- and moderate-income (LMIs) populations, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and cash-in and cash-out (CICO) agents, in Asia and Africa, their coping strategies, and recommendations for policymakers and financial service providers to support them.
Responding to COVID-19: India country report
This report presents findings from MSC’s research on 219 households to understand how the low- and middle-income (LMI) segment in India continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. It further provides recommendations for policymakers and financial service providers to help the segment cope with the crisis.
Response to COVID-19 in Bangladesh
This report discusses the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of low- and middle-income (LMI) people in Bangladesh toward COVID-19 and its impact on their lives. It also provides recommendations for policymakers to design suitable interventions that can help the LMI segment recover from the pandemic.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on farmers-Kenya report
This report highlights the findings of the dipstick research jointly funded by MSC and SCBF. It captures a detailed analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on farmers and their coping strategies. The report further provides recommendations for policymakers and financial service providers to support the farmers.
Impact of COVID-19 on routine healthcare services and ASHAs
The report studies the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on key elements of India’s health system framework—community demand, provision of health services, and community health workers. It also provides recommendations to better prepare the healthcare system of India to tackle shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Responding to COVID-19 in Indonesia
A community side story of quick response and gradual adaptation of the low and middle income segment to the global pandemic. This is the report that highlights the insights from MSC study to understand the economic and health impact of COVID-19 on LMI Indonesians.
Readiness and response assessment of Indian states to Covid-19 pandemic
MSC is conducting a comprehensive assessment to understand preparedness and responsiveness of Indian states to the Covid-19 pandemic. The study will assess the response of the states and the impact on the ground of the different social assistance schemes of Central and state governments. MSC is adopting a multi-phase approach to attain the key objectives of the study by doing a mixed-method research to assess the measures taken specifically to address the crises.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises (MSMEs): India report
The economic disruptions from COVID-19 have left the MSME sector in India reeling. Our report discusses the nature and extent of the impact of this pandemic on the cash-flows, business operations, and supply chains of MSMEs. It delves deeper into the coping strategies MSMEs have adopted to mitigate the effect of this disruption. The report also highlights how the pandemic has triggered the uptake of digital technologies and provides policy recommendations to help MSMEs recover.
Responding to COVID-19
MSC conducted a research study to understand how the low- and middle-income (LMI) segments around the world continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. To examine this in detail, we spoke with 719 low- and middle-income households across Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Kenya. Our report offers a glimpse into their way of countering the global pandemic through grit and adaptation.
Coping with COVID-19
MSC conducted a research to understand how the low- and middle-income (LMI) segments cope with the #COVID-19 pandemic. To examine how this pandemic has affected their lives, we spoke with 604 low- and moderate-income households across Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Kenya, and Uganda. Our report offers a glimpse into their remarkable achievements, underlying challenges, shocking misery, and new opportunities in these trying times.