The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious threat to the global health and economy among others. In Puntland so far, official reports from the Ministry of Health indicate that 1000 people have tested positive for COVID-19, while 10 have succumbed to COVID-19. To manage the spread of the virus, the government instituted several measures including lockdown, which is presumed to have devastating effects at both the macro and household levels.

 

This assessment was conducted in the major towns of Galkayo, Garowe and Qardho due to high level of exposure to the virus. The main objective of the assessment is to understand the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 in order to inform decision-makers, to enable them to come up with effective and appropriate strategies to mitigate the potential social and economic consequences of the current crisis.

 

The finding of the survey indicates business and paid jobs forms the main source of household income in the three towns. About one-third of the households’ sources of income in the three towns are vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic. Business and paid jobs are the most vulnerable primary sources of reported by 44 and 43 percent of the households respectively.