Governments and partners across the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA) are acting to protect citizens from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). These crucial efforts will save many lives. However, measures needed to slow the transmission of the disease are resulting in hardship for many vulnerable families. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic is having worrying impacts on household incomes, food supply chains, health services and schools.
This statement was developed based on the current understanding of COVID-19 and recommendations for physical distancing. Our advice will be updated periodically as new evidence emerges and we continue to develop our understanding of how to deliver effective nutrition support programmes in the context of COVID-19. A more detailed brief on each of the six domains, a glossary and resources on healthy diets, and a set of references accompany this statement.
We, the Regional Directors of the four United Nations agencies, will support the leadership of all our Member States in the Region to respond and recover from the impact on nutrition caused by COVID-19.