Impact of Covid-19 on Food Security
By: Lethan Hampton
Since the significant outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in March of 2020, millions of people have faced food insecurity worldwide. To prevent the spread of the virus, many businesses were ordered to close temporarily, which resulted in many having to be shut down. With this effect in place, millions of people solely relied on their savings and any stipend check they received. This forces people to stretch out their money and cut their expenses on several necessities such as hygiene items, clothing, and food products. What makes the situation worse is that numerous countries have experienced high food price inflation, which takes a significant toll on people in low-income countries and communities.
It is no surprise that 2020 marked the year of the most severe increase in global food insecurity. The World Food Programme estimated that 149 million people, including refugees, were facing food insecurity in 2019 before the pandemic. They also projected that Covid-19 would increase the total number of food-insecure people to about 272 million people. This number includes children, who are affected more drastically. Lack of sufficient food could have serious consequences on the health of children along with lasting implications on their cognitive development.
Within months after returning to normalcy, people who have suffered from food insecurity will have an even harder time becoming financially stable and getting back on their feet. The recession has placed a burden on millions of families and individuals that will take tens of years to lift. Prior to the pandemic, the United Nations aimed to end hunger around the year 2030. However, due to Covid-19 taking the world by storm, this goal will be pushed back several decades due to a exponential increase in the individuals facing food insecurity. As vaccines continue to be distributed and society gradually returns to normalcy, it is imperative that we assist those who struggle to find what their next meal will be!
Recap
- 2020 marked the year of the most severe increase in global food insecurity across the world.
- The number of food insecure people was projected to exponentially increase from 149 million people in 2019 to 272 million people by the end of 2020.
- Prior to the pandemic, the United Nations aimed to end hunger around the year 2030. However, this will be pushed back several decades due to the recession and more people facing food insecurity.
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CITATIONS
Perneuf, Flore de. “Food Security and COVID-19.” The World Bank. Feb 5, 2021. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/brief/food-security-and-covid-19#:~:text=COVID%2D19%2... . Accessed: 02/15/2021.
