By MBONYI Paul, Program Manager at Rwanda Consumers Rights Protection Organization (ADECOR)
COVID-19 world pandemic imposed a new set of challenges for the individual to maintain a healthy diet. Due to the Covid-19 quarantine-related situational stress-eating, nutrition becomes a priority at this time.
Keeping foods that are good sources of immuno-supportive nutrients, planning times to eat, meals, portions and having a cutoff time for eating but mostly having in mind positive attitudes could be helpful to tackle the negative health effects of quarantine.
The state of lockdown announced in Rwanda like in many countries around the globe led all public and private sector institutions, with the exception of health care facilities and a limited number of essential services, to close down and, if possible, carry its operations remotely. It is true that such measures of self-isolation and social distancing are crucial in limiting the spread of the coronavirus, flattening the curve of incidence rate, and ultimately disease containment. At the same time, these measures have severe repercussions on both food access and utilization.
Which measures can help insupporting nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Different measures can be taken and help to mitigate or reduce the negative effects on nutrition and food security during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rwanda Consumers Rights Protection Organization (ADECOR) implementing five years (2016-2020) Voice for Change Partnership Project (V4CP) under the financial support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through SNV-RWANDA and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) where the work of ADECOR is centered on increased availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability and consumption of fortified foods recommends the following among others:
At household level, it is the responsibility of the individuals – during the COVID-19 pandemic and after-, to make efforts, choose a healthy lifestyle, eat diets that are high nutrients dense including biofortified and fortified products. In addition to taking care of one’s dietary intake, the collective responsibility of individuals is to avoid the spread of misinformation related to nutrition and dietary intake, and the COVID-19.
At the community level, because of difficulties in transportation, distribution, and delivery, food access and availability are particularly vulnerable. One way that COVID-19 pandemic would indirectly impact the food supply chain is by changing consumer behavior. Pandemics create uncertainty and volatility in consumer demand. Those who can afford extra food may hoard more than they need and pose devastating consequences on at risk-populations. This hoarding could lead to extreme shortages in markets, leading to rapidly rising prices. Therefore, at a community level, it is crucial to spread awareness against “Panic-buy” (to buy more quantities than needed) and take corrective measures when it occurs. It is also crucial to identify vulnerable groups and extend assistance in food access and availability through a structured and reliable support system.
At the national level, while the Government of Rwanda is dealing with the burden of the COVID-19 and its enormous strains on the healthcare system, it is also battling a destabilization in the country’s economy and a rising threat of food insecurity. In light of these challenges to provide adequate and nutritious food at times of pandemics, we commend the efforts made by the Rwanda Government and other benefactors in assisting vulnerable people across the country.
We take this opportunity to urge them to distribute staple food basket that supports more the health needs of the population, ensure the use of the local biofortified produce such as iron beans and processed fortified food like maize flour, wheat flour, sugar, salt and oil to facilitate access of nutritious dense food to different communities. Given the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the demand and supply dynamics of food, price hikes became prevalent reaching at times uncontrollable levels. This situation requires Government’ efforts to continue closely monitor and inspect food prices and markets as it has started.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became imperative to build networks with the private sector, the international agencies, and local communities. It is only through a coordinated effort of these different entities that securing essential nutritious food stocks become possible.
It is recommended to the Government to maintain and reinforce the open and two-way communication with the public during this pandemic, especially that transparency is critical for building trust, support, and compliance. Specific methods to inform the public about adequate food consumption and intake might include public awareness campaigns, nutrition education, emergency news bulletins, radio and TV announcements and interviews, and the dedication of specific telephone hotlines for direct communication with government representatives.
In conclusion, the influence of COVID-19pandemic on nutrition and dietary intake has already gone beyond the individual and the community to reach national and global levels. A particular feature of this pandemic is highlighting the interdependence of these various levels, whereby the health of the individual became a direct function of his own awareness and choices, the unity of the community, the preparedness of the government, and ultimately the global engagement vis a vis this threat. (End)