Early Impact of COVID-19 on Food Security and Livelihood in Vietnam

Abstract Objectives On April 1, 2020, Vietnam initiated a three-week lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. Lockdowns like this have had severe economic and social repercussions that are not experienced uniformly. This study evaluates whether households reporting to be severely impacted differ from those reporting to be less affected in terms of household food availability, affordability, and market access. Methods Cross-sectional data were collected as part of a World Vision Rapid Response Assessment in Vietnam (n = 3431) in May 2020. Data on household demographics, employment, food availability, affordability, and market access were collected. Households reporting a perceived severe (full or severe) impact of the COVID-19 pandemic were compared to those reporting less (moderate, slight, or no) impact using multivariable logistic regressions. Results 19.2% of respondents indicated that the pandemic had severely impacted their livelihood. There was a higher percentage of females (56.4% vs. 45.6%; P < 0.001) and urban residents (25.3% vs. 8.6%; P < 0.001) in the severely impacted group. The groups differed significantly by type of employment prior to the pandemic, and a greater proportion of those who were severely impacted reported decreased income (85.4% vs. 39.9%). Both groups reported similar availabilities of staple food groups at the household-level, but the availability of green vegetables was lower in the severely affected group (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.38, 1.00) than in the less affected group. However, the adjusted odds ratios for local market access to hygiene items (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.39) and essential medicines (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.50) indicate higher odds of accessibility for those more impacted relative to the less impacted group. Conclusions There were relatively few differences identified between the groups. While the self-reported livelihood impact status generally aligned with a loss of income, the connection between this designation and the indicators of household food availability, affordability, and market access were not as strong. The self-determination of a severe economic impact may represent a relative change in the household's socioeconomic status from before the pandemic that is not indicative of current vulnerability. Funding Sources None