More than half of Angolans went without enough food, enough clean water, and needed medical care last year, Afrobarometer’s first survey in the country found, highlighting vulnerabilities that would make compliance with a COVID-19 lockdown extremely difficult.
Based on data collected in November-December 2019, more than one-third of Angolans suffered severe lived poverty during the previous 12 months, reflecting the experience of “many times” or “always” going without selected basic life necessities.
The country has been under a state of emergency with social isolation since late March in order to fight the spread of the coronavirus. While there appears to be widespread agreement among political actors and citizens that the measures are needed, these findings challenge the government and development partners to implement strategies that make it possible for ordinary citizens to comply.
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