COVID-19 and climate: Threat multipliers to Pacific food and nutrition security

Factors currently undermining food and nutrition security in Pacific Island Countries are discussed, namely: climate and water risk, associated loss of arable land and the adaptation gap; limited employment opportunities and reliance on remittances; significant dependence on food imports; persistent gender inequality; rapid population growth, intergenerational inequity, and urbanisation; persistent under-resourcing of biosecurity, animal and plant health; fragmented value chains and food governance systems; traditional farming practises and declines in agricultural productivity; increasing logistical costs and the future implications of greenhouse gas targets for shipping food to and from Pacific nations; and poorly adapted and underfunded education and risk communication. It is also indicated that the current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted exposures in Pacific security, with this shock resulting in significant loss of employment and incomes, disrupted value chains due to both local and international restrictions on logistics, and resultant increases in food prices and growing food insecurity.