LOW-INCOME families in Kuala Lumpur are under increased stress as they worry about sustaining their livelihoods as their socio-economic conditions are impacted by the pandemic, the Families on the Edge report found.

A total of 500 families living in low cost flats in Kuala Lumpur were surveyed in the joint study by the United Nations agencies Unicef and UNFP.

“The prevalence of stress among the respondents has increased in the past three months from 1 in 5 (19%) in September to 1 in 4 (27%) in December 2020,” the report said.

One in three households headed by women were under more stress – which is 23% higher than the last round of the survey in September last year.

The inability to provide enough food for the family, and lack of employment opportunities were the major concerns of these households.

“Half (52%) of HoH (heads of household) and three in five (59%) of female HoH are worried about not being able to provide enough food for the family, higher than 25% and 32% in September 2020. 

“One in four of female HoH are worried about lack of employment opportunities for their family, which is higher than 14% in September 2020,” the report said.

Meanwhile, two in five HoH, or 43%, were worried about not having enough money to provide proper education for their children.

This was more pronounced among women-led households as 37% were worried about the lack of financial ability to cover their children’s education.

The data for the third part of the report was collected by the Families on the Edge project in December 2020 during the CMCO.

It reflects the socio-economic status and wellbeing of a group of 500 families with children in Kuala Lumpur’s low-cost flats. 

The mixed methods study, covering a period of six months, involved a socio-economic study, wellbeing interviews, as well as a child-led photography component. 

The study aims to generate insights on the socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on low-income families with a view to stimulate public and policy debate as Malaysia aims to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and rebuild itself.

The second part of the report was released in October 2020.

The fourth, and final, report will be released in April 2021. – February 8, 2021.