‘COVID-19/Food Insecurity Syndemic’: Navigating the Realities of Food Security Imperatives of Sustainable Development Goals in Africa

Abstract

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is impacting on food systems and has exposed the poor state of food security and lack of food system infrastructures. Consequently, sub-Saharan Africa countries face the compounded risk of COVID-19 and hunger. The syndemic will pose serious challenges for achieving food security imperatives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. This article discusses the dynamics of food security imperatives brought about by COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the mitigating efforts of sub-Saharan African governments in addressing COVID-19 and how this effort impacts the attainment of SDGs One, Two, Three and 12. It finds that while the pandemic provides an opportunity for governments to strengthen their commitments, it raises questions on the ambitious global efforts to deliver SDGs by 2030. It recommends that African governments need to maximize intra-African trade with investments in agricultural biotechnological infrastructure in order to close the gap between the targets and the realities, in the efforts towards achieving the SDGs.

The water-energy-food nexus and COVID-19: Towards a systematization of impacts and responses

“…In Africa, for example, food security is greatly threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the lack of social protection and health insurance ( Lawson-Lartego and Cohen, 2020 ). As a result, food insecurities induced by the COVID-19 pandemic can jeopardize not only human health and well-being but also key developmental goals (e.g., the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)) on the African continent ( Ezirigwe et al, 2021 ; Nhamo and Ndlela, 2021 ). At the same time, household consumption of energy (e.g., for cooling purposes) increased in homes (e.g., around 6% to 8% in the US) ( Saadat et al, 2020 ), thus affecting other sectors such as water (e.g., requirements for produced water or cooling water).…”

Nipah Virus Infection in Asia: A Review Update

“…The most vulnerable groups were the reproductive age group and children. One-third of total reproductive age women had anaemia due to having less nutritious food 65 . Additionally, some pig farms were destroyed previously due to the transmission of the Nipah virus from bat to pig and other domestic animals, which affected livestock productivity 66 .…”

COVID-19 Infection among People with HIV/AIDS in Africa: Knowledge Gaps, Public Health Preparedness and Research Priorities

“…27 Food insecurity, a social determinant of health, 28 is more prevalent among PWH compared to the general public and is linked to worse health outcomes among PWH. [29][30][31] The severe economic disruption caused by COVID-19 infection has worsened food insecurity in Africa, a continent already marked by poverty prior to the pandemic. 31 Ensuring access to nutritious food in Africa during this COVID-19 pandemic should be considered a public health priority.…”

“…[29][30][31] The severe economic disruption caused by COVID-19 infection has worsened food insecurity in Africa, a continent already marked by poverty prior to the pandemic. 31 Ensuring access to nutritious food in Africa during this COVID-19 pandemic should be considered a public health priority. Care must therefore be taken to provide palliatives, especially to PWH to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and prevent offset of the previous HIV control gains made over the years in the continent.…”