A Crisis within a Crisis: COVID-19 and Hunger in African Children
Abdullahi Tunde Aborode, Samuel Ogunsola, Abidemi Olugbenga Adeyemo
Abstract
The WHO recently expressed concern at the potential impact of COVID-19 on hunger, which is likely to exacerbate the already considerable burden of malnutrition of Africa. The impact of the disease is expected to be greater among those grappling with malnutrition, whereas widespread hunger and malnutrition will likely increase because of movement restrictions. COVID-19 is unfolding in Africa against a backdrop of worrying levels of hunger and undernourishment which could worsen as the virus threatens livelihoods and household economies. The perspective piece addresses the crisis within crisis of COVID-19 and hunger on the well-being of children in Africa.
Topics & Concepts
MalnutritionLivelihoodCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Development economics2019-20 coronavirus outbreakPerspective (graphical)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Environmental healthEconomic growthDiseasePolitical scienceSocioeconomicsGeographyMedicineEconomicsAgricultureOutbreakVirologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)ArchaeologyPathologyComputer scienceArtificial intelligenceChild Nutrition and Water AccessPoverty, Education, and Child Welfare