Social safety nets, in the form of cash or in-kind transfers, with intervention by health and nutrition officials, can protect the most vulnerable. The spread of Covid-19 is threatening millions of people already made vulnerable by food insecurity, malnutrition and unsafe food, particularly in Africa. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) says the East Africa Community has 27 million food-insecure people, including four million refugees, with over 10 million in Kenya. To avert a food security crisis the country should, first, closely monitor food prices and markets. Fourthly, social safety nets, in the form of cash or in-kind transfers, with intervention by health and nutrition officials, can protect the most vulnerable.

Source: Daily Nation April 13, 2020 16:07 UTC