COVID-19 market disruptions and food security: Evidence from households in rural Liberia and Malawi

PLoS One. 2022 Aug 8;17(8):e0271488. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271488. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

We use data collected from panel phone surveys to document the changes in food security of households in rural Liberia and Malawi during the market disruptions associated with the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. We use two distinct empirical approaches in our analysis: (a) an event study around the date of the lockdowns (March to July 2020), and (b) a difference-in-differences analysis comparing the lockdown period in 2020 to the same months in 2021, in order to attempt to control for seasonality. In both countries, market activity was severely disrupted and we observe declines in expenditures. However, we find no evidence of declines in food security.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Communicable Disease Control
  • Food Security
  • Food Supply
  • Humans
  • Liberia / epidemiology
  • Malawi / epidemiology

Grants and funding

This project was funded by USAID. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.