Support project in response to the effects of COVID-19 in the livestock sector in West and Central Africa (COVID-19-AFS)

IDRC’s response to the COVID-19 crisis includes a rapid response to the food and nutritional security crisis associated with COVID-19. This response mechanism supports the development of new, short-term activities that supplement existing projects. The goals are to document the impact of the pandemic (and control measures) on local food systems and food security; to document planned and spontaneous responses to the emerging crisis; and to strengthen responses to the current crisis. The rapid response mechanism also supports the development of new projects that document and analyze the efficacy of those responses. This will help low- and middle-income countries respond more efficiently to subsequent waves of the epidemic and to potential future shocks.

In West and Central Africa, COVID-19-related restrictions on movement within and between countries is affecting food availability and exacerbating the risk of food shortages. Agro-pastoral family farms are among those most heavily affected by these restrictions because they are confined to areas with poor foraging, which drastically reduces the performance of the herd. Governments have proposed measures for the benefit of pastoralists, raising several questions that will be addressed within the framework of this project. These include whether COVID-19 has exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities, whether state social measures can reduce vulnerability, and the steps that need to be taken by farmers and decision-makers to mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19.