Impacts of COVID-19 on global poverty, food security, and diets: Insights from global model scenario analysis
This tool aims to provide a rigorous framework to assess the risks pandemics like COVID-19 pose to global poverty and food security. It assesses the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on poverty, food insecurity, and diets, accounting for the complex links between the crisis and the incomes and living costs of vulnerable households.
Acute Hunger Continues to Rise Globally: Global Report on Food Crises Mid-Year Update Released
Alarming levels of hunger and food insecurity are on the rise across the globe. According to the September 2021 mid-year update to the 2021 Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC), an estimated 161 million people in 42 countries/territories have faced Crisis-level (IPC/CH Phase 3) food insecurity or higher. This number is up from the estimated 155 million acutely food-insecure people reported by the GRFC for 2020.
Impact of COVID-19 on National Food Systems
The CGIAR COVID-19 Hub has released updated policy notes regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global and regional food systems. This latest series of updates covers several FSP priority countries, including Ethiopia, Nigeria, Malawi, and Bangladesh.
Rising food prices are a concern but no reason for panic yet
Global food prices are on the rise. FAO’s Food Price Index indicates prices in international markets have risen by 40 percent from a year ago (May 2020). Prices of vegetable oils in particular have surged, showing an increase by almost 110 percent over the past year. Other commodity prices, like those for metals, oil, and other minerals prices also have shown sustained increases since mid-2020.
How concerned should we be?
Transforming Food Systems After COVID-19: European Commission Discussion of IFPRI’s 2021 Global Food Policy Report
COVID-19 has upended local, national, and global food systems, and put the Sustainable Development Goals further out of reach. But lessons and momentum from the world’s response to the pandemic can contribute to food system change.
In the 2021 Global Food Policy Report, IFPRI researchers and experts explore the impacts of the pandemic and government policy responses to date, particularly for the poor and disadvantaged, and consider what it all means for transforming our food systems to be healthy, resilient, efficient, sustainable, and inclusive. The chapters in this flagship report explore key requisites for such a transformation in light of the current shock — balancing health and economic policies, promoting healthy diets and nutrition, strengthening social protection policies and inclusion, integrating natural resource protection into food sector policies, and enhancing the contribution of the private sector — and how best to achieve them. Regional sections examine the diverse experiences of the pandemic worldwide, and the impact of varied response measures.
During this session, speakers will share evidence on the impact of COVID-19 and discuss the way forward for food systems transformation.
Moderator
- Leonard Mizzi, Head of Unit, European Union Directorate General for Planet and Prosperity, DG International Cooperation and Development
Speakers
- Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI
- John McDermott, Director, CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), IFPRI
- Neha Kumar, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
- Danielle Resnick, Senior Research Fellow, and Theme Leader, Governance, IFPRI
Mutually reinforcing factors led to soaring food insecurity in 2020: 2021 Global Report on Food Crises Released
The number of people around the world facing severe food insecurity skyrocketed by 20 million in 2020, according to the 2021 Global Report on Food Crises, released today. Acute food insecurity now affects at least 155 million people across 55 countries/territories, with some regions facing famine-level hunger. In light of these soaring numbers, the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger by 2030 seems to have gotten further from reach.
COVID-19 pandemic offers rare chance for food systems transformation
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruptions of social interactions, affecting both the supply and demand for food. These disruptions to jobs, income and food supply magnified and exacerbated existing inequalities. While the emerging urban middle class suffered greater income losses, the poor and vulnerable in rural and urban areas experienced the worst livelihood impacts. Many social programs, including cash transfers, nutrition and education were interrupted, delayed, or halted, setting back decades of process in reducing poverty, hunger, malnutrition and illiteracy.
Global poverty increased in face of COVID-19: 2021 Global Food Policy Report Released
The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated policy responses have had wide-ranging impacts across the globe in terms of health, food security, incomes and livelihoods, and access to critical services. According to the 2021 Global Food Policy Report (GFPR), released this week by IFPRI, COVID-19’s effects have moved the world further away from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
GLOBAL LAUNCH EVENT - 2021 Global Food Policy Report: Transforming Food Systems After COVID-19
COVID-19 has upended local, national, and global food systems, and put the Sustainable Development Goals further out of reach. But lessons and momentum from the world’s response to the pandemic can contribute to food system change. In the 2021 Global Food Policy Report, IFPRI researchers and experts explore the impacts of the pandemic and government policy responses to date, particularly for the poor and disadvantaged, and consider what it all means for transforming our food systems to be healthy, resilient, efficient, sustainable, and inclusive.
The chapters in this flagship report explore key requisites for such a transformation in light of the current shock — balancing health and economic policies, promoting healthy diets and nutrition, strengthening social protection policies and inclusion, integrating natural resource protection into food sector policies, and enhancing the contribution of the private sector — and how best to achieve them. Regional sections examine the diverse experiences of the pandemic worldwide, and the impact of varied response measures.
At the launch event, speakers will share evidence on the impact of COVID-19, and discuss the way forward for food systems transformation.
Remarks
- Agnes Kalibata, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy to the 2021 Food Systems Summit
- Marco Ferroni, Chair, CGIAR System Board
Report Overview
- Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI
- John McDermott, Director, CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), IFPRI
Rapid Fire Presentations
- Samuel Benin, Deputy Division Director, Africa Regional Office, IFPRI
- Neha Kumar, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
- Valeria Pineiro, Senior Research Coordinator, IFPRI
- Danielle Resnick, Senior Research Fellow, and Theme Leader, Governance, IFPRI
- Shahidur Rashid, Director for South Asia, IFPRI
- Rob Vos, Director of Markets, Trade, and Institutions Division, IFPRI
Moderator
- Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI
COVID crisis is fueling food price rises for world's poorest
Over the last year, COVID-19 has undone the economic, health and food security of millions, pushing as many as 150 million people into extreme poverty. While the health and economic impacts of the pandemic have been devastating, the rise in hunger has been one of its most tangible symptoms.