Potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diets, practices, and service in ESA
A review of the current evidence
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic and related economic crisis impacted food systems and the delivery of health services with likely negative consequences to the nutrition of the most vulnerable women and children worldwide. The Eastern and Southern Africa Region (ESAR) nutrition section undertook research to understand the impact of the pandemic on the diets of young children, adolescents, and pregnant women and lactating mothers, as well as on infant feeding practices and on nutrition service delivery. The goal of the research was to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on diets, services and practices to propose appropriate responses to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and future health crises on nutritionally vulnerable groups.
The first stage of the research included a review of evidence of the potential impacts of COVID-19 on diets, practices and services in ESAR. Results can be found here.
The second phase of the research included remote surveys in six countries, the results of which are available here.
