COVID-19 Disruptions of Food Systems and Nutrition Services in Ethiopia: Evidence of the Impacts and Policy Responses

Collaborative agriculture activities such as group work and support from Agricultural Extension Workers were most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Spring 2020 because of concerns about social distancing and a desire to limit interaction [2718].

One survey in rural Oromia found that almost half of households reported decrease in crop production because of the COVID-19 pandemic [19].

Key informants noted challenges to accessing agriculture inputs such as fertilizer due to price increases; however, more research is needed to determine if these challenges were a direct result of the pandemic or other policy changes.

Disruptions to business operations and employment due to COVID-19 restrictions caused a decrease in reported income for households across Ethiopia, particularly from May to July 2020 [22].

Income losses were most pronounced in urban areas and non-farm businesses, as businesses were not able to operate at full capacity due to risk of COVID-19 transmission [25].

Surveys reported increases in food prices for some staples and crops. Price increase in crops that relied upon import from other countries, such as onions, may be a result of border closures early in the pandemic [22].

The Ethiopian dairy sector has been resilient throughout the pandemic, which may be because this sector is less reliant on input resources than other countries

Food security and dietary diversity was negatively impacted across Ethiopia; however, the Productive Safety Net Program substantially mitigated these impacts for recipient households. Impacts on food security and dietary diversity dissipated over time.

Key informant noted that the diversion of the resources early in the pandemic, coupled to fear of contracting COVID-19 has translated to forgone care in the first few months of the pandemic.

Mitigation strategies employed included outreach services by health extension workers such as door to door visits which have been proven effective in providing the necessary care [18].

The maternal health services that require close contact with community members (e.g., cooking demonstrations) or with health services providers (counselling, ANC and PNC) had decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 [18].

A key informed highlighted that the provision of IFA to school aged adolescent girls was disrupted due to school closure and this was a key argument to re-open schools.

A key informant noted that there was no shortage of supplies or limitations in the availability of services to treat malnutrition thanks to mitigation strategies employed such as HEW, a shift in the supplier of RUTF and the identification of most rural facilities and their provision with the necessary resources to mitigate any disruption resulting from COVID-19.

While most child services such as deworming, screening for malnutrition, and vitamin A supplementation quickly picked up after an initial disruption, treatment for SAM decreased by more than 50% in 2020 compared to 2019 [26].