{"id":449028,"date":"2020-12-12T14:16:14","date_gmt":"2020-12-12T14:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.moldova.org\/en\/?p=449028"},"modified":"2020-12-12T14:24:24","modified_gmt":"2020-12-12T14:24:24","slug":"undp-moldova-report-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-most-vulnerable-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moldova.org\/en\/undp-moldova-report-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-most-vulnerable-people\/","title":{"rendered":"UNDP Moldova report: Impact of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable people"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 4<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

“Social and Economic Impact of COVID-19 in the Republic of Moldova”<\/strong> is a report presenting the findings of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Moldova study conducted during the period end-May \u2013 beginning of October 2020. The report aims at “shedding light on the consequences and impact of the crisis and proposing tactical and medium-term policy and programmatic options for recovery and resilience,”<\/em> as it is mentioned on the official page<\/a> of UNDP Moldova.<\/p>\n

The assessment was conducted using data of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), a survey of Magenta Consulting, as well as a part of the UNDP study conducted during August-September 2020 among 390 citizens and 450 companies. The report recommendations are used to develop post-COVID-19 recovery measures and programmes by UNDP Moldova and can serve as guidance for public authorities in the policy-making process, as Deputy Secretary-General of the Government of Moldova, Adrian Ermurachi, suggested<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The report reveals important COVID-19 social outcomes both for children, poor households, vulnerable women, NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth, older people, as well as migrants and freelancers.<\/p>\n

As children<\/span><\/strong> from low-income families had less access to devices and internet connection needed for remote learning, that widened the already existing gap between pupils from socially advantaged pupils and socially disadvantaged ones.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The poverty rate among households with 3 or more children reached 42%<\/span>, while 27% of divorced or single parents were not able to organise remote learning for their children, according to the report conclusions.<\/p>\n

Poor households<\/span><\/strong> from Moldova experienced high job losses, being forced to tighten their budgets even more.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Poor people were forced to reduce their budget for food, despite having a poor diet already. Thus, 65%<\/span> of poor households relied on cheaper food, despite consuming -20-100% less quality nutrients in the pre-pandemic period, UNDP Moldova informed.<\/p>\n

Moreover, 1 in 5 poor households reduced health and education expenses as well. Among the questioned people, 8% gave up looking for a job after unsuccessful attempts and 48% claimed unemployment benefits would help.<\/p>\n

Vulnerable women<\/span><\/strong> were also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in terms of migration, housework, and monitoring and assisting their children during remote schooling, said the UNDP report.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

96%<\/span> of vulnerable women had to handle household chores during the pandemic, 61% were responsible for children care and 21% of them could not organise remote learning for their kids.<\/p>\n

6% of surveyed women filed complaints regarding domestic violence (mainly physical and emotional). Closure of social shelters during the pandemic worsened the situation for women experiencing domestic violence.<\/p>\n

NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) young people<\/strong><\/span> represent another category of vulnerable persons.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

47%<\/span> of surveyed young people spent their savings to go through the pandemic expenses, while 18% of them reported that some days they did not eat at all. At the same time, 57% of NEET declared themselves as not being interested in actively seeking a job.<\/p>\n

The older people<\/span><\/strong> in Moldova had loosest understanding of prevention measures and most difficulties in procuring protective equipment, UNDP representatives claimed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

According to the report figures, 67%<\/span> of older people do not have enough income or savings to cover their expenses, the situation being even worse in urban areas – 89%. Also, 40% of older people had limited access to non-contagious diseases medical services.<\/p>\n

Returning migrants<\/span><\/strong> have seen the highest job losses as compared to any other vulnerable group. \"\"<\/p>\n

Beside the lost jobs and incomes, Moldovan returning migrants had to face the issue of their health risks not being covered by health insurance (78.2% of returning migrants reported that).<\/p>\n

Freelancers\u00a0<\/strong>experienced troubles with declining sales, <\/span><\/span>restricted access to raw materials and drop in domestic demand. Among the surveyed participants, 86%<\/span> of freelancers performed work which cannot be done remotely, but 46% lacked skills for remote work.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Source: UNDP Infographic – Impact of COVID on the most vulnerable people<\/p><\/div>\n

The policy recommendations, targeting vulnerable categories of population in Moldova, were as following:<\/p>\n