Abstract
The present third edition of the Social Impact of COVID-19 Household Survey is articulated across and covers eight key dimensions: 1) Impact on physical and mental health of people, 2) Access to Services, 3) Economic situation, 4) Household coping strategies to meet basic needs in crisis, 5) Education and transition to online learning, 6) Relationships and well-being, 7) Public perception of the response to the crisis, and 8) Internet usage, e-commerce and digital services. The Survey is people-centred, and it is focused throughout on people’s wellbeing. As such, it detects the emerging vulnerabilities, strengths and coping mechanisms of people. It also captures the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on social interactions and records changes in gender relations due to shifting power dynamics within households. Data in this Survey show that the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are still felt and are compounded by the recent rise in food and energy prices. Data strongly suggest that these combined and cumulative effects are sending strong shockwaves across Bosnia and Herzegovina, causing increased poverty and food deprivation and worsening inequalities. Furthermore, mental health of the population continues to be severely affected. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected both the economic and social situation across all age groups. Data show a continued and drastic impact of the crisis on those who are either already disadvantaged, at risk or more vulnerable, such as people living below the poverty line, families with children, single parents, Roma, internally displaced people, minority returnees and LGBTI community. The crisis also negatively and disproportionately affected people with disabilities and the elderly, who are, as a result, increasingly struggling in conducting their routine activities. The severity of the impact leads to feelings of inequality, including gender inequality, discrimination, and isolation. Data show that the pandemic also triggered major shifts in the way people think, socialize, communicate and live. Of particular concern are the effects of the crisis on basic social services such as health, including mental health, and access to quality education.
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