1.3. Research methodology

The data from the ERF COVID-19 MENA Monitor Household Survey (CMMHH) (April 2021-August 2021) and from the World Bank and Sudan Central Bureau of Statistic Sudan High Frequency Survey on COVID-19 (2020) the household questionnaire provides useful and suitable information to discuss the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on households in Sudan. It provides background information: mainly, demographics information and information about households’ characteristics, labour market status, household and individual income, wage, and social protection, employment, income, source of income, changes in employment, working condition, job loss and loss in income sources due to COVID19. It focuses on work, activities, workers, and wageworkers and the changes and challenges due to COVID-19. It focuses on household enterprises and business: (formal and informal economic activities, operations in February 2020, COVID-19 impact on operations, revenue, employment, policy response/ government support, and expectations for the future). The first and second waves of the ERF COVID-19 MENA Monitor Household Survey include a questionnaire that provides data on the socio-economic and labour market impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on households. It covers the demographic and household characteristics, education and occupation, labour market status, income, social safety net, employment and unemployment detection. It includes a worker module (on occupation, job formality, impact of COVID-19 on employment, work from home), and a household enterprise module (on industry, employment, sales/revenue, impact of COVID-19 on business, and policy response). In addition, the survey ’s data includes comparable data that permits the study of various phenomena over time and permits comparison across Arab countries (Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco and Sudan). All COVID-19 MENA Monitor surveys incorporate similar survey designs, with data on households and individuals within those households.

1.3. Research methodology

The research applies both the descriptive and comparative approaches to the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. It inspects new primary data obtained from the first round of the World Bank and Sudan Central Bureau of Statistic Sudan High Frequency Survey on COVID-19 (2020) and the first and second waves of the ERF COVID-19 MENA Monitor Household Survey (CMMHH) (April 2021- August 2021). In order to answer Question (1): the status of households during the COVID-19 pandemic we use the results obtained from the ERF CMMHH and the World Bank households questionnaire and use the indicators (household and individual income and income source, labour market status, employment benefits, working conditions, unemployment, social protection (social insurance and social safety net), wages and income and households characteristics (defined by gender). In order to answer Question (2): the status of household enterprises during the COVID-19 pandemic, we use the indicators (workers in the establishments, workers’ livelihoods, income, labour market status, employment benefits, and working conditions and applied policy measures for workers). In order to answer Question (3): the status of firms during the COVID-19 pandemic period, we use the results from the firms’ questionnaire and we use the indicators (firms’ current status of work and business operations, sales, revenue, workers, and firms’ characteristics (defined by firm size). In order to answer Question (4): the main challenges facing firms due to COVID-19, and the main policy response and government support for firms we use the results obtained from the firms’questionnaire.