Impact of COVID-19 Lived Experiences of the Urban Poor in Slums during the Shutdown in Bangladesh
To better understand the lived experiences of slum dwellers against the backdrop of the social and economic constraints resulting from the nationwide COVID-19 shutdown, the BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University undertook a rapid research study from 30 March to 12 April, 2020. Along with documenting the impact of the pandemic in Bangladesh, the research hopes to bring to the attention of policy makers and service delivery organizations, issues of importance that may not necessarily be receiving the attention needed and thereby enable them to prioritize and implement appropriate interventions.
The research delved into many aspects of the slum dwellers’ lived experiences. This brief focuses on issues related to local health beliefs, practices and stigma, impact on mental and emotional health, impact on their economic and social life, and residents coping mechanisms.
By Sabina Faiz Rashid, Bachera Aktar, Nadia Farnaz, Wafa Alam, Samiha Ali, Farzana Mansoor, Imran Hossain Mithu, Ateeb Ahmed, Abdul Awal
The urban poor's lived experience on COVID-19 shutdown in Bangladesh