Explainer | 12 March 2021

Targeting hunger by transforming food system through South-South Cooperation

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The COVID-19 pandemic created major risks for food security at a time when food systems were already under strain from conflict, natural disasters and climate change. Domestic food supply chains are affected by movement restrictions, shortages of key agricultural inputs, and loss of income. The UN World Food Programme has warned that an additional 130 million people could face acute food insecurity by the end of the year, on top of the 135 million people who were already acutely food insecure before the crisis. Rural people who were already exposed to food and dietary deprivations are also the most vulnerable during the on-going pandemic.

More than ever, the resilience of producers and households needs support at both country and international levels. To this end, IFAD is working with local and national governments as they undertake measures to ensure social protection and safeguard livelihoods.

Through South-South Cooperation, IFAD is tapping into existing expertise, skills, capacities, and solutions to address the effects of the pandemic and other challenges on rural populations. In the last decade, South-South cooperation has shown itself capable of providing tailored and tested development solutions that can be adapted to different contexts.

Find out more about IFAD and South-South and Triangualar Cooperation

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