Corona sparks food insecurity fears
The ministers noted that the impact of the coronavirus will lead to a decline in the nutritional status of vulnerable populations due to insufficient access to food and an increase in household food insecurity.
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
Namibia last week participated in a Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting of ministers responsible for agriculture, food security, fisheries and aquaculture, which highlighted that the impact of the coronavirus will lead to increased food insecurity and more morbidities in the region. The meeting was held through video conferencing and was virtually hosted by Tanzania.
The aim of the meeting was to review progress on the implementation of SADC programmes and related strategies on agriculture, food security, fisheries and aquaculture, with a focus on the impact of the pandemic as well as proposed measures to be implemented by member states.
Besides Namibia and hosts Tanzania, the meeting was attended by Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
It was chaired by Tanzania's livestock and fisheries minister, Luhaga Mpina.
Work together
SADC executive secretary Dr Stergomena Tax applauded all member states for their commitment to ensuring the continuity of business and participating in the virtual meeting, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. She emphasised the need to work together.
According to a statement issued by SADC, the ministers noted various guidelines developed by the secretariat for member states.
The guidelines were developed for the agriculture, food security, fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
The ministers also noted that the impact of the coronavirus will lead to a decline in the nutritional status of vulnerable populations due to insufficient access to food, an increase in household food insecurity, as well as inadequate access to health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene services, which may result in increased morbidities.
It was further highlighted that the outbreak of African migratory locusts, reported in Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, is affecting cereal crops and pastures.
According to the statement, the ministers considered and approved the SADC Animal Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilisation Strategy and the SADC Strategy for the Elimination of Dog-Mediated Human Rabies.
WINDHOEK
Namibia last week participated in a Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting of ministers responsible for agriculture, food security, fisheries and aquaculture, which highlighted that the impact of the coronavirus will lead to increased food insecurity and more morbidities in the region. The meeting was held through video conferencing and was virtually hosted by Tanzania.
The aim of the meeting was to review progress on the implementation of SADC programmes and related strategies on agriculture, food security, fisheries and aquaculture, with a focus on the impact of the pandemic as well as proposed measures to be implemented by member states.
Besides Namibia and hosts Tanzania, the meeting was attended by Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
It was chaired by Tanzania's livestock and fisheries minister, Luhaga Mpina.
Work together
SADC executive secretary Dr Stergomena Tax applauded all member states for their commitment to ensuring the continuity of business and participating in the virtual meeting, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. She emphasised the need to work together.
According to a statement issued by SADC, the ministers noted various guidelines developed by the secretariat for member states.
The guidelines were developed for the agriculture, food security, fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
The ministers also noted that the impact of the coronavirus will lead to a decline in the nutritional status of vulnerable populations due to insufficient access to food, an increase in household food insecurity, as well as inadequate access to health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene services, which may result in increased morbidities.
It was further highlighted that the outbreak of African migratory locusts, reported in Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, is affecting cereal crops and pastures.
According to the statement, the ministers considered and approved the SADC Animal Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilisation Strategy and the SADC Strategy for the Elimination of Dog-Mediated Human Rabies.
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