Social Impact Assessment of COVID-19 in Bosnia and Herzegovina: second household survey

Social Impacts of COVID-19 in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Second Household Survey brings evidence on how the pandemic and containment measures affect lives and social dynamics, hoping to inform future responses within the social and economic realm. In the period from July to December 2020, two household surveys were conducted to measure perceptions concerning the social impact that COVID-19 has had on households in BiH, 5 and 10 months respectively after the outbreak of the pandemic (see the first one here). This report highlights the key findings identified through the second survey and compares the changes in perception to those of the first survey.

The study captures the people's changing needs, vulnerabilities, coping mechanisms and the power dynamics in households resulting from the COVID-19 crisis in BiH. Based on the identified vulnerabilities and strengths of people and the system, it provides data to inspire people-centered, gender-sensitive COVID-19 responses in multiple sectors.

The assessment of the social impact of COVID-19 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, conducted by UNDP and UNICEF on a sample of 1800+ households, found that macro-factors such as the dynamic of domestic and international trade, the epidemiological situation in the country, mobility restrictions, government action and containment measures are in constant interaction with individual level factors such as income, level of education, gender, age and local conditions resulting in deprivations such as inequality, poverty and social exclusion.

The assessment is intended to stimulate debate and to inspire action among governments, United Nations agencies and policymakers involved in the response and recovery efforts, helping to ensure the best ways to protect people during the crisis.