Today the world is battling Covid-19 but it has put some sections of society to the brink of hunger.
Government policies aimed at containing the virus’s spread, such as banning large gatherings, and other restrictive measures may block some people key access to sources of nutrition or micronutrients.
People in India who already suffer as a consequence of lockdown – including poor, unsheltered – are particularly affected by both the virus and the impact of containment measures.
Communities dealing with malnutrition are doubly vulnerable to it because of the weaker immune systems which may result to severe illness due to the virus.
We are also enhancing capacity to make sure no one goes hungry during the lockdown
Until yday we were feeding 20k people in 224 shelters
From today we will feed 2 L people through an addl network of 325 Delhi govt schools
Tomorrow onwards we will be able to feed 4 lakh people.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 27, 2020
India suffers from a serious level of hunger. There is all likelihood for people to die of hunger than the coronavirus in the wake of the lockdown. India’s poor scoring in the Global Hunger Index last year is reflective of the low minimum acceptable diet. This is linked to the high rate of stunting and the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition.
https://www.globalhungerindex.org/
Protecting the poorest and most vulnerable from the serious health consequences of malnutrition will be important to prevent a ‘crisis within a crisis’ as the pandemic progresses.
Covid and lockdown protocols aimed at containing the virus’s spread, such as banning large gatherings, may cost them access to key sources of nutrition or micronutrients.
Before lockdown, Sachin a government school student was guaranteed a nutritious meal of rice, lentils and vegetables under India’s state-run school lunch programme. Children like Sachin are dependent on these school lunches for their daily dietary requirements, which aimed to address India’s chronic malnutrition problem.
Malnutrition could severely impact mothers and children. At the same time, more children are becoming malnourished due to the deteriorating quality of diets, and interruptions in nutrition created by the pandemic.
Good nutrition is an essential part of an individual’s defence against Covid-19. Nutritional resilience is a key element of a society’s readiness to combat the threat. Focusing on nutritional well-being provides opportunities for establishing synergies between public health and equity, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
#India has the largest #schoolmeals programme in the world and is a crucial #food & #nutrtion net in the country. #COVID19 has, however, impacted it in numerous ways. Join experts to discuss this pertinent issue next week on 28th Aug. Register now👉 https://t.co/fAQqIgSZYx pic.twitter.com/XHNt43zsdC
— World Food Programme in India (@UNWFP_India) August 22, 2020
The Covid-19 has put both lives and livelihood at stake. With a shortage of food supply, disruption of supply chains triggered by the lockdown has led to poor access to sufficient food and likely impact on food security.
India with 1.3 billion population faces the highest percentage of undernourishment and are food insecure, Covid-19 may just add on to the woes.
Covid-19 led to economic decline, and existing poverty can lead to food insecurity for India. Food security programs in India have been affected due to the lockdown. The anganwadi centres hot cooked meal, mid day meal scheme, and take-home rations for children less than three years and pregnant mothers with daily recommended allowance has been stalled amidst lockdown. While some NGOs, self help groups, and organisation came forward to reach out to them and serve them with good food amid pandemic.
In these last few weeks we've been humbled by the support pouring in from everyone around India. Thank you Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Mr. Goldy puri and @MPKTSTulsi for serving 4765 meal boxes around Bhatti Mines, Delhi. 🙏#inthistogether #FeedtheDailywager #FeedtheNeedy pic.twitter.com/mNcZGF0und
— Feeding India (@FeedingIndia) May 14, 2020
Covid-19 and the lockdown have led to children being deprived of nutrition support, adding to the burden of families not able to meet ends due to loss of wages and looming poverty.
Rs 90,000 crore to be spent more on providing free ration to poor for five more months, says PM Modi
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 30, 2020
There is a need to strengthen the existing food availability and supply along with adequate counselling on hand washing and social distancing.
