How are African governments responding to avert a COVID-19 hunger crisis?

This webinar will bring together African ministers responsible for agriculture and trade to discuss the measures their countries are taking to avert a hunger crisis by ensuring that livelihoods are secured and food systems remain functional. Ministers will also share insights into the role the international community can play to support their efforts.

With the global economy reeling from COVID-related measures, the world faces the risk of a dramatic rise in hunger that has not been seen in decades. On April 16, the ministers from African Union member states agreed that efforts to contain the spread of the virus need to be accompanied by measures to minimize disruptions to the food and agriculture systems while supporting the livelihoods, food security and nutritional access of all African citizens during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In their statement, Ministers reiterated Africa’s commitment to ending hunger by 2025. They appealed to governments to prioritize the food and agriculture system as an essential service and to recognize that all types of food systems—modern, traditional, and informal—play critical roles in serving different markets.

This dialogue seeks to provide a global space for African governments to share their experiences on how they are averting a hunger crisis.