Over half of the country’s population lives below the poverty line, and food insecurity is on the rise, largely due to conflict and insecurity cutting off whole communities from livelihood opportunities. 14 million people are identified as food insecure, including 0.55 million displaced by conflict. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has further amplified the challenges of food insecurity, disrupting food systems and supply chains and magnifying food waste problems. The impoverished and undernourished have been affected the most due to pandemic-induced lockdowns, economic slowdowns, and loss of income. The discussion with key stakeholders will aim to look at the gaps and understand the critical challenges faced by nutrition programs due to pandemic and conflict situations and the way forward for eliminating hunger and malnutrition for achieving the goal of ‘zero hunger.’
