55% families had 2 meals a day: Survey

Data collected from 5,668 houses across 119 districts

New Delhi, July 19: About 55 per cent of households in 24 states and two union territories managed only two meals a day during the period from April 1 to May 15, indicating affordability challenges amid the Covid-19 crisis, according to a survey of 5,568 families.

The ‘unmasking the impact of Covid-19 on Asia’s most vulnerable children’ early recovery assessment report released by child-rights NGO World Vision Asia Pacific, found that resulting economic, psychosocial, and physical strain on Indian families has negatively affected all aspects of child well-being including access to food, nutrition, healthcare, essential medicines, hygiene and sanitation facilities, as well as child protection and safety.

The report based on data gathered from 5,668 households across 119 districts from 24 states and 2 Union Territories (Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir) during the period of April 1 to May 15 highlighted that the livelihoods of more than 60 per cent of parents or caregivers were fully or severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Daily workers, who are the largest segment in the survey, are the hardest hit and the loss of livelihoods that has resulted from government lockdown measures has become the top-most concern for the rural and urban poor, the survey found.

“About 67 per cent of urban parents/caregivers have reported loss of jobs or income reduction in the previous weeks,” it said. The results of the report revealed that 55.1 per cent of the interviewed households could get only two meals a day, which indicated limited access to basic food supplies due to affordability challenges, the report said.

The study found that only 56 per cent of respondents always had access to hygiene items, and 40 per cent had access only sometimes.

“Access to adequate water and sanitation remains a challenge, which increases the risk of malnutrition and the spread of the diseases, including Covid-19. “The stress on families related to loss of income, lack of school, change of children's behaviour and quarantine measures contributes to children experiencing physical punishment and emotional abuse,” the report said. The report also indicated that 40 per cent of children are stressed out due to the current situation.