– not only at the socio-economic level, but other unforeseen ways as well

THE Civil Defence Commission (CDC), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on Tuesday embarked on a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on households across Guyana.
The purpose of the study is to determine the short to long-term impact of COVID-19 on both society as well as the economy, with the aim of informing response and recovery policy interventions and other measures.

According to a release from the Commission, the Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing Consultancy Incorporated (CATI), an international consultancy group, has been contracted to conduct the study, in keeping with COVID-19 guidelines and regulations.
According to the CDC, the approach at reference will see the assessment team contacting residents across the country, by phone, to conduct interviews regarding their experience with COVID-19 and the related measures being implemented to keep the disease in check.
In places where it is not possible to contact persons by phone, due to the unavailability of the relevant telephone services, local teams will be deployed to conduct in-person interviews in keeping with physical distancing and other COVID-19 requirements.
According to CDC Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, the assessment will be of great benefit to the Commission, as it will enhance the effectiveness of the national COVID-19 response.

He especially wants people to know and understand that the facts and evidence which the study will garner regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their lives and livelihoods, our sectors and industries as a country will also be used to help develop plans for recovery; to bring our Guyanese society and economy back to normalcy, and possibly even better than it was before.

UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Jairo Valverde, in speaking to his agency’s role in the conduct of the study, said: “The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is therefore quite pleased to partner with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on the assessment, and looks forward to the elaboration of response and recovery measures to support Guyana in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Both the CDC and UNDP join in encouraging residents of communities all across the country to give the assessment teams their full support, as what they’re doing will redound to everyone’s benefit.