Authors
1
Faculty member, Department of Geography and Rural Planning, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
3
M.A in Geography and Rural Planning, Payame Noor University, working in education of Kurdistan province
Abstract
In recent years, one of the most significant shocks to rural livelihoods has been the COVID-19 pandemic. This global crisis affected rural livelihood systems in various ways, and due to limited preparedness—particularly in rural areas—households adopted diverse strategies in response.This study investigates the livelihood strategies adopted by villagers in the Oraman region of Sarvabad County during the pandemic, and evaluates their effectiveness. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Data were collected through documentary analysis (for the theoretical framework) and a field survey. The statistical population comprised three key groups: local residents (300 individuals selected using Cochran’s formula), development officials (18 individuals selected purposively), and regional experts (12 individuals also selected purposively). Inferential statistical analyses—including Pearson correlation, path analysis, and regression—revealed, at a 0.001 significance level and with 99% confidence, that the average livelihood resilience scores (2.63 and 2.72) indicate a highly unfavorable situation in the face of the pandemic. Key explanatory factors include village population size, number of households, and the level of villagers’ economic activity. The primary livelihood strategies employed by villagers included: using personal savings, selling gold and other stored valuables, increasing work hours, borrowing money, temporary migration for employment (especially to Marivan and Sanandaj), participation in local savings groups, selling land or leasing gardens, taking loans, engaging in virtual marketing, and selling handicrafts online. Overall, the prolonged pandemic has contributed to the deepening of multidimensional poverty and deprivation in various aspects of life: increased livelihood vulnerability; insecure and insufficient jobs and incomes; environmental degradation and declining productivity; social and geographical isolation of villages—particularly impacting women’s participation in employment and public life; and a lack of psychological security and motivation to pursue work and development in the villages of the Oraman district.
Keywords
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