Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on households’ livelihoods in Zimbabwe: A qualitative study using the sustainable urban livelihood framework.

Abstract

Background Pandemics such as COVID-19 affect lives in complex ways, disrupting economic activities and impacting livelihoods. The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) helps us to understand these diverse effects beyond health impacts. We investigate the impact of the pandemic on the livelihoods of urban households in Zimbabwe. Methods We conducted a qualitative study utilizing an iteration of the SLF, the Sustainable Urban Livelihoods Framework (SULF), as our theoretical foundation for exploring urban living in Harare and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Between April and December 2021, we collected primary data through household surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews with the key informants. Following SULF, we performed hybrid deductive and inductive thematic analysis of the data. Results Households from various socioeconomic backgrounds have experienced notable negative effects owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic and its related control measures, such as social distancing and lockdowns, have led to job losses, income reductions, food insecurity, and the illness or death of household members. Additionally, many individuals faced decreased access to essential health services and education, which are vital for maintaining their livelihoods. Those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were particularly affected, struggling to sustain their livelihoods more than those from higher income brackets. Conclusions The disproportionate impact on low-income households highlights the lack of properly established social support systems stemming from the challenging political and economic conditions in Zimbabwe. While low- and middle-income countries should consider international policy recommendations, we advocate evidence-based policy decision making that carefully evaluates the effects of COVID-19 policies on health, livelihoods, and the wider economy. Plain Language Summary The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on households’ livelihoods in Zimbabwe Pandemics such as COVID-19 impact lives in various ways. While they cause illness and fatalities, they also significantly affect people's livelihoods, which in turn affects their ability to access healthcare. A valuable tool for understanding these dynamics is the sustainable livelihood framework, which illustrates interrelated aspects of people’s lives. To explore the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban households' livelihoods in Zimbabwe from April to December 2021, we qualitatively collected data from 40 household surveys, conducted four focus group discussions in Harare and Bulawayo, and interviewed 18 key informants involved in policy formulation and implementation. Our findings indicate that, while the pandemic affected everyone, households from poorer backgrounds faced the greatest challenges in maintaining their ways of living during the COVID-19 period. These households struggled more due to pre-existing socioeconomic and governance issues, which forced them to adopt unsustainable shortterm survival strategies. This study highlights the need for evidence-based decision making that carefully assesses the impact of COVID-19 policies on health, livelihoods, and the broader economy. This emphasizes the importance of implementing a sustainable social safety support system in Zimbabwe and similarly resource-constrained settings.