COVID-19 and household water insecurities in vulnerable communities in the Mekong Region

Louis Lebel (), Hap Navy (), Phoummixay Siharath (), Chau Thi Minh Long (), Nilar Aung (), Phimphakan Lebel (), Chu Thai Hoanh and Boripat Lebel ()
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Louis Lebel: Chiang Mai University
Hap Navy: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Phoummixay Siharath: National University of Laos
Chau Thi Minh Long: Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute
Nilar Aung: University of Yangon
Phimphakan Lebel: Chiang Mai University
Chu Thai Hoanh: International Water Management Institute, Regional Office for Southeast Asia
Boripat Lebel: Chiang Mai University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2023, vol. 25, issue 4, No 21, 3503-3522

Abstract: Abstract Access to sufficient clean water is important for reducing the risks from COVID-19. It is unclear, however, what influence COVID-19 has had on water insecurities. The objective of this study was to assess the associations between COVID-19 control measures and household water insecurities. A survey of 1559 individuals living in vulnerable communities in five countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam) showed that increased needs for clean water to wash hands or facemasks made it more likely a person was water insecure along those dimensions. Water insecurities with respect to handwashing and drinking, in turn, made adoption of the corresponding good practices less likely, whereas in the case of washing facemasks there was no association. Water system infrastructure, environmental conditions such as floods and droughts, as well as gender norms and knowledge, were also important for water insecurities and the adoption of good practices. As domestic water insecurities and COVID-19 control measures are associated with each other, efforts should therefore be directed at identifying and assisting the water insecure at high risk when COVID-19 reaches their communities.

Keywords: Water insecurity; COVID-19; Vulnerable groups; Mekong region; SDG 6 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02182-0

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