Rural vulnerability and institutional dynamics in the context of COVID-19: A scoping review

Abstract

This study reviewed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pre-existing vulnerabilities in rural communities using the scoping review strategy. It focused on manuscripts published on the topic in 2020. Based on 39 studies that met our inclusion criteria (out of 507 studies), we note that COVID-19 is exacerbating pre-existing rural vulnerabilities, including poverty, remoteness, socio-economic marginalisation and high unemployment. There is limited evidence that rural communities are resilient to the pandemic. Reduction in household expenditures and the community food system are the only reported forms of resilience. Although local institutions are supporting rural communities in responding to the impacts of the pandemic, several institutional dynamics undermine the effectiveness of the response. The increased risk of the pandemic is likely to reduce incomes and standards of living amongst poor communities. Thus, coping strategies were identified such as starting small gardens in communities, diet changes, targeting community markets with produce rather than retailers and food swap using social media, with food swap being the most adopted coping strategy. Although this study does not offer a comprehensive picture of the levels and nature of vulnerability, resilience and institutional dynamics of rural communities in different parts of the world reveal the limitations of existing knowledge of the vulnerability of rural communities in the context of COVID-19. This underscores the importance of further studies on rural vulnerability in the context of COVID-19 that will enable evidence-based responses to the pandemic in rural contexts.

Vulnerability Assesment of Tourism Village Communities in The Special Region of Yogyakarta during The Covid-19 Pandemic

“…In the cases of Iran and India, economic and health conditions are the most severe vulnerabilities faced by rural communities (Kesar et al, 2021;Yazdanpanah et al, 2022). In this regard, Covid-19 worsens the existing vulnerabilities of rural areas (John et al, 2022).…”

“…The community's experience with past disasters has not improved their preparedness in facing new disasters (Bhaskara & Filimonau, 2021). There is only limited evidence that rural communities have resilience against the COVID-19 pandemic (John et al, 2022). Until the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, no preparations had been made.…”

“…Until the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, no preparations had been made. This is especially concerning for rural communities, as they have greater vulnerability due to financial factors, employment, housing conditions, access to education and healthcare facilities, decreased social interaction, and a lack of adaptability (Bhaskara & Filimonau, 2021;Hizra et al, 2021;John et al, 2022;Pangarso et al, 2021;Peters, 2020;Susanti et al, 2023;Tokazhanov et al, 2020;Wang et al, 2020).…”

“…In the development of the literature, there are still limitations in our knowledge regarding the vulnerability of rural communities in the context of COVID-19. This highlights the importance of further studies on vulnerability identification in rural tourism communities in facing the COVID-19 pandemic (John et al, 2022). There hasn't been specific identification of this vulnerability in advanced tourist villages as pilot tourism villages with different regional characteristics.…”

An overview of Volume 14, No 1 (2022)

“…As we continue to struggle through the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, John et al ( 2022 ) contribute a scoping study of how rural vulnerabilities have been impacted, while Khowa, Cimi and Mukasi ( 2022 ) look more closely at the impact of lockdown regulations. An institutional approach to working with communities through pandemic response is contributed by Leeney et al ( 2022 ), showing that the key to effective operational response was local partnership and presence in communities.…”