High Frequency Monitoring of the COVID-19 Response in Delhi

India Financial Inclusion Health & Nutrition Entrepreneurship & Private Sector Development Social Protection

High Frequency Monitoring of the COVID-19 Response in Delhi

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Researchers

Karthik Muralidharan, Paul Niehaus, Sandip Sukhtankar, Gaurav Chiplunkar, Jeffrey Weaver

Abstract

Using administrative data of visitors to Delhi’s Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics (primary health care centers), researchers conducted surveys with around 1,200 residents of Delhi every 7-10 days. The questionnaire was brief and focused on food and income security, awareness of and access to government relief schemes as well as knowledge of public health directives. The results from each survey round were shared with the Dialogue and Development Commission, Government of Delhi (DDC) in a written report, along with a real-time dashboard tracking variables at the district level.

The high frequency and granularity of the reports allowed the DDC to direct relief efforts to areas where their response could be strengthened. For example, surveys highlighted districts where a high share of respondents reported applying for the Delhi government's e-coupon ration scheme, but only a few had received its benefits, which resulted in the DDC directing more relief efforts to these areas. Apart from aggregate statistics, these high frequency surveys provided deeper insights on how the pandemic has affected various types of households, including migrant workers, permanent residents, and Public Distribution System (PDS) beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries.

Project Outcomes of Interest

Social service delivery; Food security & nutrition (food grain entitlement among PDS beneficiaries, awareness and reach of the e-coupon ration scheme in non-PDS beneficiaries, use of food shelters across PDS beneficiaries and non-PDS beneficiaries, financial security for the following one month, receipt of Jan Dhan or other government cash transfers, availability and price of basic food items in the market); Health knowledge and awareness

Partners

J-PAL South Asia, Government of Delhi

Key Findings

Results forthcoming

Impact Goals

  • Build resilient and adaptable businesses and employment opportunities
  • Improve social-safety net responses
  • Reduce COVID-19 transmission rates

Project Data Collection Mode

  • CATI (Computer-assisted telephone interviewing)

Link to Data Collection Instruments

https://www.povertyactionlab.org/sites/default/files/sa-covid19-high-frequency-monitoring-survey-delhi.pdf

Implementing Organization

J-PAL South Asia

Results Status

No Results Yet