Key MessagesCountries in the region have reacted to the global COVID-19 pandemic with swift and rigorous measures that have avoided spread of the virus but also had a large impact on socio-economic outputs 2. Countries that are fragile and in conflict situations are witnessing a significant impact that will aggravate existing economic and humanitarian challenges. In Sudan, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon political instability, depreciation of the local currency and inflation led to an increase in food prices and decreased households purchasing power. In addition, in oil producer countries such as Algeria, Iraq and Libya, the decrease in global oil prices and demand have hampered the response putting further pressure on the country’s budget. At the same time more households had to resort to negative food based and livelihood coping strategies to meet essential needs.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 15, 2020 10:30 UTC