Supply of basic necessities to vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic: Empirical evidence from Shanghai, China

Abstract

BackgroundIn spite of initial widespread skepticism, city lockdown has been proved to be an effective short-term tool in containing and delaying the spread of a viral epidemic. The measures to ensure the supply of the basic necessities adequately and equitably, especially for those vulnerable ones has become a major challenge faced by all countries taking a city lockdown measure during the epidemic.MethodsData was collected through relevant government documents, work records, policy reports, media reports and the online-work information platform designed by the research group. Based on these references, the study analyzed the mainly technical difficulties and the countermeasures of the supply process, and summarized the key characteristics of basic necessities supply strategy for vulnerable groups in Shanghai.ResultsThe supply strategy for vulnerable groups in Shanghai covers 16 districts, 232 streets and 6,028 neighborhood communities, which has already been in test running in April in some districts. The practical experience in Shanghai solved three key materials supply problems (lack of purchase channels, insufficient material reserves, insufficient transportation capacity) faced by government during the city lockdown, and showed three essential characteristics (overall coordination, community-centered intervention, technical support).ConclusionsThe findings in this study may provide some suggestions to other countries about how to better manage the preparation, dispatch and transportation of basic necessities in shortage for those vulnerable ones during the city lockdown.

The opinions of community-centered engagement and health care during and after COVID-19 pandemic

“…The practical experience in Shanghai of China presented its essential feature duringas urban lockdowns: the community plays an important role in providing basic supplies as the main body of grassroots governance. In complianceas with the government's advocacy of community closure, residents staying in their homes and maintaining social distance, the neighborhood committee hasas recruited many volunteers from residents to carry household goods from the community gate to residents' homes (12). In order to reduce theas number of people gathered, volunteers from each building took out supplies from the temporary storage area and delivered them door-to-door (11).…”