COVID-19 and International Food Assistance: Policy proposals to keep food flowing. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cardwell, Ryan; Ghazalian, Pascal L.
• Is Part Of: World development. Volume 135(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Pandemic -- Food assistance -- Food aid -- Foreign aid -- ODA; Economic history -- 1990- -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 330.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105059
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-750X

Abstract

Highlights: The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a global food security crisis. Need for international food assistance is rising, while supply is being constrained. Donor countries may cut foreign aid budgets during economic recessions. We propose policy responses to keep food assistance flowing, without increasing aid budgets. Proposals include prioritizing humanitarian aid spending, exempting food assistance from trade barriers, and untying aid. Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic is increasing the need for international food assistance, and disrupting the supply and delivery of food assistance. A series of unprecedented shocks is straining the capacity of food assistance organizations to reach vulnerable populations. We discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the demand and the supply of international food assistance, and we propose three policy changes that can keep food flowing to those in need. First, donor countries can prioritize humanitarian spending in aid-allocation decisions. Second, governments can exempt food assistance from trade barriers that impede procurement (export restrictions) and delivery (import tariffs). Third, donor countries can allow flexibility for implementing agencies by untying food assistance from domestic procurement and shipping restrictions. All of these proposals are regulatory changes that can be made without requiring increased spending. These options are particularly relevant now because donor-country governments are entering economic recessions, and foreign aid budgets will be constrained.