Share
COVID-19: How the pandemic has impacted food security in Southern Africa
The SADC Regional Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis Programme has released the Synthesis Report on the State of Food and Nutrition Security and Vulnerability in Southern Africa. Joining CNBC Africa to look at the state of food nutrition, security and vulnerability in the region is Domingos Gove, Director of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber South Africa.
Wed, 29 Jul 2020 10:33:51 GMT
Disclaimer: The following content is generated automatically by a GPT AI and may not be accurate. To verify the details, please watch the video
AI Generated Summary
- The SADC report highlights a 10% increase in food insecurity, with close to 44.8 million people across 13 member states affected, and warns of a potential 25% rise in acute malnutrition, impacting 8.4 million children.
- The challenges faced by countries like Zimbabwe and East African nations, including droughts, macroeconomic fragility, and disruptions in the informal market, contribute to the high levels of food insecurity in the region.
- The interview emphasizes the need for immediate action to address food insecurity through social protection schemes, enhanced mechanisms for cross-border trade, and continued support for school feeding programs, while also highlighting the region's potential to meet internal food needs.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis Programme recently released its Synthesis Report on the State of Food and Nutrition Security and Vulnerability in Southern Africa, shedding light on the alarming food insecurity situation in the region. The report highlights the dire consequences of COVID-19 on food security, with close to 44.8 million people across 13 member states facing food insecurity, a 10% increase from the previous year. In addition, the report warns that acute malnutrition could increase by up to 25%, affecting 8.4 million children in 2020. Nine out of the 16 SADC member states have reported undernutrition rates above 30%, while obesity is also on the rise in four member states.
Domingos Gove, the Director of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources for SADC, emphasized the concerning findings of the report, stating that the impact of COVID-19 has exacerbated the already fragile food security situation in the region. Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber South Africa, weighed in on the challenges faced by countries like Zimbabwe and certain East African nations, attributing the high levels of food insecurity to factors such as droughts, fragility in the macroeconomic conditions, and disruptions in the informal market due to the pandemic.
One of the key issues raised during the interview was the need for urgent intervention to address food insecurity in the region. Gove stressed the importance of providing assistance through social protection schemes, strengthening mechanisms to facilitate cross-border movement of agricultural products and inputs, and finding ways to continue school feeding programs that have been affected by COVID-19. Sihlobo highlighted the potential for the region to meet its food needs internally, particularly in staples like maize, but also emphasized the need for imports of certain food items like wheat.
Looking ahead, concerns were raised about the impact of potential disruptions in the informal market and the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in the upcoming production season. The interview underscored the urgent need for coordinated efforts and innovative solutions to address the food security crisis in Southern Africa and build resilience against future shocks.
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
DAILY UPDATE
Get the best of CNBC Africa sent straight to your inbox with breaking business news, insights and updates from experts across the continent.
Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about about our products and services. By signing up for newsletters, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.