Mapping empirical evidence of COVID-19’s effect on food systems

By Ramya Ambikapathi, Morgan Boncyk, Nilupa Gunaratna

Updated: September 1, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected food systems globally, increasing food insecurity and hurting livelihoods, likely in the long term.

We are collecting empirical studies (published, grey literature, presentations) that have done rapid assessments on food security, nutrition, and livelihood outcomes during the pandemic.  We summarize these in a spreadsheet, adding study design and sample size to help us take stock on how data were collected.  Importantly, we also document whether these studies evaluate the specific vulnerabilities and experiences of women. The table and map will be updated weekly – please contact us (rambikap[@]purdue.edu) if you know any studies that should be added to the list.

Key takeaways:

  1. Assess more women and present gender disaggregated analysis:  Among surveys conducted in Africa and S.E Asia, 7-100% of the respondents are women (see table below); while 40-70% of respondents are women in surveys conducted in Latin American countries. Several surveys do not specify gender of the respondent.
  2. Geographic variation in surveys and methods.
  3. All but one survey were conducted by phone or internet.
  4. KINDLY NOTE: On the map, areas in blue indicate countries where these studies have been conducted. On the table, scroll to the right to see data on methods, outcomes, and links to the reports.

Map of empirical studies on COVID-19’s effects on livelihoods and food systems

Table of empirical studies conducted during COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested citation:

Ramya Ambikapathi, Morgan Boncyk, Nilupa Gunaratna (September 1, 2020) Mapping empirical evidence of COVID-19’s effect on food systems. Retrieved from https://ramyaambikapathi.com/mapping-empirical-evidence-of-covid-19s-effect-on-food-systems/