FAO.org

With the COVID-19 in Jordan under control, the government of Jordan has managed the response proactively and to mitigate potential immediate impacts on the availability of food to the population. Food security among vulnerable Jordanian households has remained largely stable as yet with 15% of households showing a poor or borderline Food Consumption Score (FCS) in 2020 compared to 16% in 2018.

Nevertheless the extent of the damage to key components of the food supply chain is still not completely quantified. Also, the pandemic still ongoing globally and in the region, Jordan will have to remain attentive to multiple risks that could have adverse effects on the national food security.While the government has been active to ensure on a short-term basis adequate food availability and access through support of well-functioning food supply chains, key risks remain.While Jordan has instituted price controls, food consumer price indices indicated slight increases in certain items including vegetables, legumes and meat over the course of the lockdown.

Jordan needs to continue to monitor its food prices for consumers and pay particular attention to food availability and financial accessibility for the most vulnerable, including poor and vulnerable Jordanian households (who lost their income sources) and a large population of refugees.

The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Jordan’s food supply is still to be assessed, especially with respect to the growing seasons of 2021 to 2022. While emergency interventions are already being defined, a full recovery will entail a more in-depth analysis of the issues, opportunities and vulnerabilities of Jordan’s food supply through a dynamic private sector, a supportive public sector, and a social net to ensure that “no one is left behind”. Many efforts internally and with external supporters are being implemented in Jordan to ensure progress on these three fronts.

Find more COVID-19-related resources here.