Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Socio-economically Vulnerable People of Pakistan

Abstract

Presently COVID-19 and its socio-economic impacts are burning and debatable issues around the world. This research aimed at investigating the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on people with vulnerable socio-economic conditions. The research was conducted in two union councils i.e. Koper and Hero Shah of Tehsil Dargai District Malakand, KP Pakistan. The data was collected through an in-depth interview method using an interview guide from 24 respondents, 12 respondents from each union council were purposively selected through a random sampling method. The collected data has been analyzed through the qualitative method and primary data has been combined with secondary information for further explanation and unfolding of the ground realities. The research findings indicate that 70 per cent of the workforce of Pakistan is dependent on subsistence earnings and an informal economy. The research shows that the socio-economic recession created by the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionally affected the economy, health, education and livelihood of poor vulnerable people. Consequently, the miseries of the coronavirus enhanced the social and economic problems of poor vulnerable people. The research finding recommends that government should take concrete measures and should provide social and economic support to socio-economically vulnerable people in order to pull them out of the crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic.