The Impact of COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa Food Security and Human Development

Poverty, malnutrition, food insecurity, and hunger are social determinants of health, well-being, and when associated with other resource-related hardships (e.g., housing instability, energy insecurity) are serious and costly constraints to human development. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to the world’s poorest countries and most family farmers do not have access to markets, important determinant for economic development. African traditional eating has been related to sustainability and positive health outcomes although the scenario is shifting to modern occidental foods. Food fortification with micronutrients may not be the right solution when there is no data on basic dietary intake. Further to the long existing housing, energy and water crisis, family farmers living at subsistence level, their livelihoods and communities, are now facing deeper worries and sufferings on food supplies. Sub-Saharan Africa was faced with a myriad of hurdles, where climate change was considered the greatest challenge, until COVID-19. Urgent priority call for high-impact initiatives and recommendations that are feasible in each of the national contexts. Success will only be achieved through strong public investment on health sectors, agricultural extension services, irrigation, and rural infrastructures.