While a much stronger second wave of COVID-19 cases poses a serious and sustained threat to the health of the Myanmar population, it also brings renewed economic disruptions and poses new challenges for efforts to avert poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition. To generate evidence that can better inform the design of emergency response and economic recovery, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the World Bank have implemented phone surveys designed to assess the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on household incomes and poverty, food insecurity experiences, and dietary quality, as well as coping mechanisms and access to government and non-government assistance.

This virtual policy seminar will review the impacts of the first wave of COVID-19 disruptions, provide a preliminary assessment of the impacts of the second wave, and highlight potential actions for social protection and economic recovery strategies.