Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Rural Tribal Communities in Western Odisha, India

The world has been severely impacted by the unprecedented health epidemic known as COVID-19, regardless of underdeveloped, developing or developed nations. Emerging nations, due to their fragile financial conditions, are particularly vulnerable to disruptions that affect livelihoods and daily life. The objective of this article is to examine the experiences of rural tribal communities in western Odisha, India, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the study explores local awareness and knowledge of the pandemic, the preventive measures adopted by residents and the overall impact of COVID-19 on their day-to-day lives. Although this study indicated high compliance with preventive measures, the pandemic and associated lockdowns also created numerous challenges for individuals in their daily lives, particularly regarding job loss, financial security, food access and emotional well-being. To gain a deeper understanding of these impacts, the researcher conducted 604 semi-structured interviews with households in rural Odisha, India. The study explored residents’ knowledge of COVID-19 following the first and second waves, their adoption of preventive practices and the effects of the pandemic on daily activities, local economic conditions and village-level responses. Interviews were conducted with 604 household heads in rural areas of Bargarh and Balangir districts in Odisha, specifically in the Khaprakhol and Paikmal blocks. The study was carried out during November and December 2021, following the second wave of COVID-19 and the associated lockdown restrictions. To provide a comprehensive understanding of village-level experiences during the pandemic, the study also includes detailed summaries of qualitative responses from the participants. The findings highlight the vulnerability of marginalized groups to the pandemic and the urgent need to strengthen resilience against major shocks. Most respondents were able to correctly identify at least one symptom of COVID-19. High compliance was reported for key preventive measures, including staying at home whenever possible, avoiding social gatherings, regular handwashing and wearing face masks. At the same time, many respondents highlighted the significant challenges posed by the pandemic, including job loss, financial difficulties, difficulties associated with staying at home during lockdowns or as a precautionary measure and negative emotional impacts.