COVID-19: 50 million people face hunger in West Africa

The coronavirus pandemic could cause a major increase in food shortages and malnutrition. Oxfam is working to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in Burkina Faso, where 780,000 people are living as internally displaced persons. Many of those displaced are women who bear the terrible trauma of being attacked by armed groups.

Photo: Sylvain Cherkaoui

"When the attacks by armed groups became more frequent, I preferred to flee in order not to become another victim of violence and rape"

Mariam

Agriculture affected

Agriculture accounts for 30.5% of West Africa's economy and is the main source of income for 70-80% of the population. Many farmers are already suffering economically from the crisis, due in part to difficulties in obtaining seeds and fertilizers.

"We have lost 75% of our market since the closure of the city of Bobo Dioulasso. This situation is unbearable because we can no longer afford to pay our 13 employees and our suppliers," says Toe Hazara, who works at the Café Rio dairy in Burkina Faso.

Food producers are struggling to keep going, but their jobs and incomes are under threat in the current crisis. Food prices in the region are rising rapidly and many food items have become more difficult to obtain due to restrictions such as curfews, border closures and insecurity in some areas. In Burkina Faso, for example, the price of cooking oil has doubled in just a few days. Animal feed has also become more expensive.

The coronavirus crisis, combined with conflict and insecurity, is exacerbating the threat to market stability and the already highly insecure food situation in the region. In countries that were already facing humanitarian crises, access to food has now become difficult.

Now, several leaders from agricultural organizations are joining forces with NGOs and calling on all governments to control prices, ensure food can be transported across borders, but also to provide support to the most vulnerable.