How have poor urban populations' food security and food purchasing habits been impacted by COVID-19? Insights from three city slums in Asia

he COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the nutrition status of people around the world, particularly the youngest, the poorest and the most vulnerable. The pandemic, and the extraordinary measures needed to contain it, have constrained access to nutritious and affordable foods, disrupted health and nutrition services and overburdened social protection systems in many contexts. In Asia, the pandemic's impact on food chains and the economic impact on households are now well documented. During the pandemic, many vulnerable households – including those in poor, urban areas – remain at risk of food insecurity, with potential increases in malnutrition especially for young children and women. A cross-sectional survey was implemented in 2020-2021 to assess the impact of COVID-19 on food security, diet quality and access to essential services among poor urban communities in three South East Asian cities (Jakarta in Indonesia, Quezon city in the Philippines and Yangon in Myanmar). Data were collected on household food insecurity (FAO Food Insecurity Experience Scale) and nutrition indicators using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (sample size of 730 households in Jakarta, 2700 in Quezon city and 3077 in Yangon) and compared with pre-COVID-19 baseline data when available. A COVID-19 impact index composite of category of shock severity and livelihood based coping strategy was developed and used to assess the level of exposure to COVID-19. Measurement of qualitative impact of COVID-19 was based on respondents' perceptions towards changes in their food provisioning, consumption and feeding patterns during the pandemic. COVID-19 has exacerbated poverty in vulnerable populations. Households in extreme poverty were most severely impacted by COVID-19 compared to all other income groups. Concerns about food in the last month was seen in many households in Jakarta (66%), Quezon City (87%) and Yangon (74%) and it was highest among households that were most severely impacted by COVID-19 in 2 cities (using the COVID-19 impact index). There was an interplay between food affordability and physical access. Households dramatically altered the way they purchased food, to cope with financial in-access and physical access challenges, either by reducing purchases of nutrient-dense foods or substituting. Given that the COVID-19 crisis pushed vulnerable urban populations further into poverty, it is crucial that authorities and stakeholders responsible for governance and oversight of