Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Policy responses

Providing critical livelihood support

Distribute agricultural inputs to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on supply chains and ensure continuous food production and income generation in rural areas.

Provide technical advice according to country context - e.g. the cassava value chain was one of the least disrupted ones during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, due to low labour intensity, country-wide production and improved storage.

Support livelihood diversification and home-based food production to mitigate the impact on agricultural output and food availability (e.g. distribution of small stock, distribution of tools and seeds for home gardening, food storage options).

Implement/scale-up cash-based programmes to mitigate the impact on agricultural output as well as on food prices in local markets.

Links and references

FAO, 2016: impact of Ebola outbreak on market chains and trade in West Africa: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5641e.pdf

Action Against Hunger, 2015: Ebola in Liberia: Impact on food security and livelihoods. https://www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/ebola_in_liberia_impact_on_food_security_and_livelihoods.pdf

Maximo Torrereo, 2020: How to limit Coronavirus's threat to the global economy. https://maximotorero.com/2020/03/11/how-to-limit-coronaviruss-threat-to-the-global-economy/

Shenggen Fan, 2020: Preventing global food security crisis under COVID-19 emergency https://www.ifpri.org/blog/preventing-global-food-security-crisis-under-covid-19-emergency

Busari, Adebayo, 2020: Here are the African countries with confirmed coronavirus cases: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/09/africa/nigeria-coronavirus-cases-intl/index.html

Pros Sustain local production and ensure diversification of livelihoods, as well as HH income Increase availability of food in local markets Impact on local food prices
Cons Additional funding required Availability of suppliers for inputs Long-term sustainability if not complemented by other structural interventions
Minimum conditions Additional funding required Availability of suppliers for inputs Long-term sustainability if not complemented by other structural interventionts
Governance Relevant national line ministries Country Humanitarian Response Programme Updated UNCT Food Security / Nutrition Clusters

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