Progress towards implementing the declaration on African food security and nutrition during COVID-19

African Union-FAO led COVID-19 Task Force holds second meeting

15 June 2020 - The Task Force on the impact of COVID-19 on Food Security and Nutrition in Africa held its second meeting today to report back on progress made since the first session. The Task Force is charged with supporting the implementation of the declaration by Africa’s Ministers for Agriculture on protecting food security and nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chaired by Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture at the African Union Commission, today’s Task Force session heard from members on activities underway in each of four workstreams.

FAO and WFP lead the workstream on support to new food insecurity ‘hotspots’, and the two agencies said that COVID-19 is likely to push families with already-stressed food security further into food insecurity.

Other participants reported back on progress made in ensuring key stakeholders such as trade bodies and the private sector are kept informed of the declaration’s implementation, and that the Task Force’s work is aligned with existing international, continental and regional frameworks.

Commissioner Sacko commended participants for their commitment so far and urged even greater synergies and collaboration. “We are on the right track,” she said.

FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa Abebe Haile-Gabriel reminded members to focus on actions. “This is very important,” he said.

Task Force members include the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the African Development Bank, the European Union, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Bank and the World Food Programme (WFP).

The Director of the African Development Bank’s Department of Agriculture and Agro-Industry, Martin Fregene, said he was very happy with the progress made by each of the workstreams so far.

The first meeting was held on 5 May, and the next will be held later in June.