Humanitarian Recovery and Development for COVID-related Food Insecurity - CFGB 2021-2023

February 2021 - As the global COVID-19 pandemic stretches into its second year its secondary impacts on the lives and livelihoods of some of the world’s most vulnerable people continue to worsen. One of the most critical impacts is the deterioration in food security as COVID-19 restrictions have halted economies and destroyed livelihoods. The pandemic has deepened existing hunger crises in the world’s humanitarian hotspots and pushed vulnerable communities previously on the brink of crisis over the edge particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. With GAC’s support the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) is helping to address the impact of COVID-related food insecurity amongst vulnerable populations in eight countries including Burundi the Democratic Republic of Congo Kenya Madagascar Nigeria Pakistan South Sudan and Zimbabwe. Project activities include: (1) providing cash vouchers or in-kind food rations to address immediate food needs; (2) identifying and supporting agricultural and non-agricultural livelihoods and market opportunities to improve household food security and resilience; (3) facilitating the development and strengthening of community groups to build community ownership and resilience; (4) rehabilitating or constructing community and environmental assets to support community development; and (5) providing training on locally relevant gender equality issues and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and risks to women and men from households experiencing acute food insecurity and in a gender-sensitive manner.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) improved access to adequate nutritious food; (2) restored agricultural productivity and diversified livelihood opportunities; (3) improved access to functioning community and environmental assets; (4) increased voice and confidence of women to participate meaningfully in their communities; and (5) increased awareness of gender equality in the food system and of GBV response and prevention for households facing increased food insecurity due to COVID-19 and other concurrent shocks in Burundi the Democratic Republic of Congo Kenya Nigeria South Sudan and Zimbabwe. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.