Pathways to Child Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Focusing specifically on SDG 2 (zero hunger), this chapter benchmarks progress or lack thereof on child food security (CFS) within the geographies of sub-Saharan Africa. The authors use data from UNICEF-WHO-World Bank 2021 and center attention on two time points: pre COVID-19 pandemic and during the pandemic. The chapter provides a synopsis of trends in CFS, highlights challenges experienced in the implementation of SDG 2 during the two time points, and documents progress in realization of the targets identified under SDG 2. In general, the data in place suggest that, worldwide, the burden of child malnutrition remains a challenge. In fact, hunger was the leading cause of death among children under the age of five prior to COVID-19; the pandemic has exacerbated the problem. Moreover, within sub-Saharan Africa, the triple burden of malnutrition, undernutrition, and stunting in children under the age of five continues to be severe; Africa may be off-track to achieve the Zero Hunger target in 2030. Curbing child food insecurity in the region will require innovative policies addressing challenges experienced at multiple levels including the nutritional, caregiver, and environmental.