It was an extreme example of how lockdowns to slow the spread of the coronavirus may be choking Africa’s already-vulnerable food supply. Lockdowns in at least 33 of Africa’s 54 countries have blocked farmers from getting food to markets and threatened deliveries of food assistance to rural populations. Last week, thousands of desperate people scrambled for food aid at a distribution point, causing a stampede. The World Food Program was already feeding millions in Africa, mainly rural people, due to a myriad of disasters: Floods, drought. She said her rural homeland is one of the lucky ones still receiving food aid but she doesn’t know h.ow long it will last.

Source: The Standard April 15, 2020 08:48 UTC