As a result of the ongoing COVID-29 pandemic, The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations FAO, the African Union AU, and international partners, have aligned and challenged the leaders in Africa on the need to ensure access to food and nutrition for Africa’s most vulnerable people.
In a joint declaration, they all pledged to support access to food and nutrition for Africa’s most challenged people; providing Africans with social safety nets; minimizing disruptions to the safe movement and transport of essential people.
Additionally, transportation and marketing of goods and services; and keeping borders open on the continent for the food and agriculture trade.
They believe that food and agriculture systems are essential services that must continue to operate regardless of lockdown periods, emergency, curfew, restrictions, and other containment measures that have been applied.
The online meeting had all 55 AU member states represented, with 45 Agriculture Ministers connecting virtually, where they outlined the challenges posed by the pandemic, in a part of the world where a fifth of the population is undernourished.
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said the quick and strategic action was adopted to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security in Africa
According to him, “Border closures restrict trade and limit food availability in many countries, particularly those dependent on food imports.”
Over the past few weeks, there has been an outcry from many Africans, saying restriction of movement is affecting their ability to earn financially, which they use to cater for themselves.
Nigerians have taken to social media to vocalize their emotions during the isolation period, where they urged the government to stop the restrictions or simply provide them with food supplies.
To support the vulnerable population with limited access to food supply, Nestlé Nigeria donated nutritious food and beverage products worth N450 million to reach more than 600,000 vulnerable people.
This is highly commendable because food is easily accessible to the people in need as opposed to financial donations that might be vulnerable to mismanagement and corruption.
Nevertheless, the company also donated another N250 million in cash for the procurement of medical supplies and personal protective equipment for the COVID-19 response.
The collaborative effort by AU FAO will encourage people to obey the lockdown restrictions as food which is a major concern for them, has been prioritized.
This move also shows a commitment of the organizations in catering for the needs of its people as opposed to a display of complacency.
