LESSONS FROM INDIA'S FOOD SAFETY NETS & RESPONSE TO COVID-19

2020 marks not just a watershed moment for humanity in terms of health, social and economic disruption caused by the Coronavirus pandemic but also one of the most challenging periods for the developmental gains that the world leaders and institutions have made over decades towards ending poverty and hunger.

- BISHOW PARAJULI*

Living with the virus for close to a year, nations and communities have seen not just the worst aspects of the pandemic but have also seen validation of some of the longstanding humanitarian values that will help us survive and will enable us to build back better.

Hunger and food security are two of the most basic and cross-cutting agendas that are critical for attaining all other rights and entitlements.

Like everything else, the Coronavirus has made the situation of hunger grim across the world and particularly in areas and communities that are most vulnerable. The livelihoods of millions of people have been compromised, and many more millions are likely to be hungry because of the pandemic’s impact on economies, job loss, disruption of supply chains, production systems, and access to aid and food support. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has estimated that COVID-19 will increase the number of people facing acute food insecurity around the world – up to 265 million in 2020, up by 130 million. Over 690 million people go to bed hungry every night.

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2020 has been conferred on WFP for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.