COVID-19 in Africa | A joint media briefing with WHO and WEF | May 14th

TL;DR

COVID-19 exacerbates hunger & obesity risks in Africa; WHO focuses on prevention & access to care.

Transcript

you hello and welcome from Geneva Switzerland this is your weekly kovat Africa media briefing I am Peter van hem and I'm joined today as always by a doctor Majid Esau Moretti in Congo Brazzaville she's the Regional Director of course after w-h-o also joining from Brazil from his home I believe is dr. Michelle Yeoh from the wh show and we're happy t... Read More

Key Insights

• 😋 COVID-19 exacerbates food insecurity in Africa, affecting supply chains, trade, and agricultural production.
• 🌐 WHO advocates for equitable vaccine access through global collaboration and technology sharing.
• 😋 Governments implement protective measures to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on food security and nutrition in the region.
• 😀 Innovative solutions, such as IT-enabled trade and mechanization support, address challenges faced by African farmers during the pandemic.

Questions & Answers

Q: How is the COVID-19 pandemic affecting food security in Africa?

COVID-19 intensifies food insecurity, impacting production, distribution, and access to food in African nations, especially for vulnerable populations.

Q: How is the World Health Organization supporting access to vaccines for COVID-19 in African countries?

WHO collaborates with partners to ensure equitable access to vaccines, advocating for technology sharing and manufacturing scale-up for global vaccine availability.

Q: What are the implications of disrupted food supply chains for African farmers?

African farmers face income loss and labor shortages due to disrupted supply chains, prompting innovation in IT-enabled trade and mechanization support for sustaining agricultural activities.

Q: How is the African region addressing malnutrition risks among children during the COVID-19 crisis?

Governments implement social protection measures, food assistance programs, and secure food reserves to combat malnutrition risks, especially for vulnerable children from low-income families.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• COVID-19 worsens food insecurity, with African regions facing undernourishment challenges.

• WHO fosters collaboration to ensure equitable vaccine access and preventive measures.

• Response strategies include enhancing food supply chains, addressing malnutrition risks for children, and promoting social protection programs.