FAO illuminated its headquarters in Rome yesterday evening with the green-white-red colours of the Italian "Tricolore" flag, as a sign of solidarity with its host country as it fights the Covid-19 pandemic. The light will stay on until the crisis ends.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, FAO has been working together with its partners to support countries to anticipate and mitigate the pandemic's impacts on food security and livelihoods.

In a recent statement, FAO has expressed concerns that the impacts of Covid-19 on food and agriculture systems could restrict people's access to sufficient, diverse and nutritious sources of food, especially in countries already affected by high levels of food insecurity.

FAO warns of a looming food crisis unless measures are swiftly taken to protect the most vulnerable and to keep global food supply chains functioning.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, FAO has also implemented a series of precautionary measures to protect its employees and their families against the threat of the coronavirus. All Rome-based FAO staff is now working remotely from home in accordance with guidelines provided by the Italian Government. In addition, FAO has also been progressively postponing or cancelling large gatherings.