The Impact of COVID-19 on Food Insecurity in Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, agriculture is an important pillar of the national economy and is fundamental to food security. The sector generates one third of the country's GDP and employs 80% of the active population but supports mainly subsistence livelihoods. However, agricultural production and food security are highly dependent on weather shocks. Rainfall variability reduced agricultural production between 6% and 15% in 2019 (Food Crisis Prevention Network, 2020) and this in turn might have tipped 10.1% of population into food insecurity. In addition, over the past five years, the country has been affected by violent terrorist attacks and regional unrest. The combination of insecurity and violence led to the closure of schools, internally displaced people (around 1.7 million people) and shutdown of health centres. These recurrent and violent adversely affected households livelihoods in several regions within the country.Food insecurity is a common social issue affecting several African households. COVID-19 reduced people's ability to meet their food needs, which could continue to exacerbate food and nutrition insecurity in the country.