The ongoing economic crisis, which has been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and climate change, is significantly impacting the access of the most vulnerable populations to basic necessities. As reported by World Vision, sub-Saharan Africa is particularly affected by this crisis. Nine out of ten countries in this region have higher food prices compared to average salaries than any other region in the world.
Unfortunately, none of the main countries with the highest food prices have seen any improvement since 2022. In these countries, it takes more than a week’s worth of work to afford a basic food basket. A comparison made by World Vision between developed nations and some of the most affected African countries highlights this stark difference in affordability. While it takes between 1.5 and 3 hours of work to purchase a basic food basket in developed countries, it can take anywhere from 1.5 days to 36 days in countries like Burundi, Central African Republic, Sudan, Kenya, Cambodia, and Ecuador.
A recent report by UN Food Programme titled “Price Shocks” emphasizes that food prices remain higher than before the pandemic for the most vulnerable populations and underscores the need for international intervention to address this crisis. Ongoing conflicts in many countries have led to localized price increases that have only worsened the situation. The World Food Programme has warned that worsening food insecurity is particularly evident in central and western Africa due to conflict and economic challenges.
To address this crisis effectively, policies promoting diversification of food production and availability are crucial for ensuring healthy diets while protecting biodiversity and livelihoods.
