REPUBLIC OF THE PHILLIPINES
MATALAM NORTH COTABATO
Impact of COVID-19 on people's livelihoods, their health and our
food systems
A PARTIAL FULFILLMENT TO THE RESEARCH SUBJECT
AT
MATALAM NORTH COTABATO
JANUARY 2022
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant loss of human life
around the world, and it poses an unprecedented threat to public health,
food systems, and the workplace. The pandemic's economic and social
effects are devastating: tens of millions of people are at risk of falling into
extreme poverty, and the number of people who are undernourished, which
is presently estimated to be around 690 million, might rise to 132 million by
the end of the year.
Hundreds of millions of businesses are in danger of going out of business.
Nearly half of the world's 3.3 billion workers are on the verge of losing their
jobs. Workers in the informal economy are particularly vulnerable because
they lack social security and excellent health care, as well as having lost
access to productive assets. Many people are unable to feed themselves and
their family during lockdowns because they lack the means to earn a living.
For most people, no money equals no food, or at the very least, less food
that is less nutritious.
The pandemic has had an impact on the entire food chain, exposing its
vulnerability. Farmers and agricultural workers have been unable to access
markets, including to acquire inputs and sell their goods, due to border
closures, trade restrictions, and confinement measures, disrupting domestic
and international food supply chains and limiting access to nutritious, safe,
and diverse meals. The pandemic has wiped out jobs and put millions of
people's lives in jeopardy. Millions of women and men's food security and
nutrition are jeopardized as breadwinners lose jobs, grow ill, and die, with
those in low-income nations, notably the most marginalized populations,
such as small-scale farmers and indigenous peoples, being the hardest hit.
While feeding the globe, millions of agricultural workers – both salaried and
self-employed – confront high levels of working poverty, malnutrition, and
bad health, as well as a lack of safety and labor protection, as well as
various forms of abuse. Because of their poor and irregular salaries, as well
as a lack of social support, many of them are compelled to continue working,
often in hazardous situations, putting themselves and their families at risk.
Furthermore, when faced with a lack of income, individuals may turn to
negative coping techniques such as asset distress sales, predatory lending,
or child labor. Migrant agricultural laborers are particularly vulnerable
because they confront dangers in their transportation, working, and living
situations, as well as a lack of access to government-sponsored assistance.
Providing improved salaries and protection to all agro-food workers – from
primary producers to those involved in food processing, transportation, and
retail, including street food sellers – will be crucial to saving lives and
maintaining public health, livelihoods, and food security.
Food security, public health, and employment and labor issues, particularly
worker health and safety, all intersect during the COVID-19 crisis. The
human dimension of the problem will need adherence to workplace safety
and health measures, as well as providing access to decent work and the
protection of labor rights in all industries. Immediate and focused action to
save lives and livelihoods should include expanding social protection to
encompass universal health coverage and financial support for the most
vulnerable. Employees in the informal economy, as well as those in poorly
protected and low-paying employment, such as youth, older workers, and
migrants, are among them. Women, who are over-represented in low-wage
jobs and caregiving duties, must be given special attention. Cash transfers,
child allowances, and healthy school lunches are all important, as are shelter
and food assistance measures, support for job retention and recovery, and
financial relief for businesses, especially micro, small, and medium-sized
businesses. Governments must collaborate closely with employers and
workers when formulating and implementing such policies.
COVID-19 has a particularly negative impact on countries who are currently
dealing with humanitarian crises or emergencies. It's vital to respond quickly
to the pandemic while also ensuring that humanitarian and rehabilitation aid
reaches those who need it most.
Now is the time for global solidarity and assistance, particularly for the most
vulnerable members of our societies, especially in rising and developing
countries. Only by working together can we overcome the pandemic's linked
health, social, and economic effects and prevent it from escalating into a
long-term humanitarian and food security disaster, potentially wiping out
already made development gains.
As stated in the United Nations Secretary-Policy General's Brief, we must
recognize this chance to rebuild better. We are committed to combining our
knowledge and experience to assist countries in developing disaster
response plans and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. To solve
the difficulties facing the health and agro-food industries, we need to build
long-term, sustainable plans. Prioritize addressing underlying food security
and malnutrition issues, addressing rural poverty, particularly through more
and better jobs in the rural economy, extending social protection to all,
supporting safe migratory pathways, and promoting the formalization of the
informal sector.
We must reimagine our environment's future and act quickly to address
climate change and environmental deterioration. Only then will we be able to
safeguard everyone's health, livelihoods, food security, and nutrition, and
ensuring that our "new normal" is a better one.
Objectives
The mental health and well-being of the societies as a whole have
severely been affected by COVI-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) would badly effect the livelihood
of almost half of the globe workforce living in urban and rural areas.
