Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, food systems around the globe faced notable challenges, including the impacts of climate change and other man-made disasters. Now, social distancing, movement restrictions, and broken supply chains are making it even more difficult to grow, transport, process, distribute and sell food.

The pandemic is exposing the vulnerabilities and weaknesses of already fragile food systems, and in many low- and middle-income countries, small-scale farmers risk being deprived of both their livelihoods and their access to food. Meanwhile, the negative economic consequences of the pandemic will further impact other vulnerable populations' ability to afford and access safe, healthy, nutritious foods.

As part of the lead-up to the Food Systems Summit in 2021, Devex and IFAD are co-hosting a third virtual event designed to spotlight the urgent need to guarantee accessible and affordable quality foods for all – especially as the economic consequences of the pandemic deepen. We will explore how to make projects more nutrition-sensitive and also look at the importance of addressing malnutrition by supporting the availability of nutritious local foods, balanced diets, and efforts to address and combat obesity.