As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease around the world, international agencies are counting the cost of the pandemic to poor regions and countries, including the Caribbean, where the ravages of the pandemic have resulted in likely much larger challenges for ordinary people.
In April, data deriving from a series of surveys administered by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) yielded more disturbing news for the region. Already plagued by pockets of food insecurity and unsustainable food import bills, the Caribbean has been told that one of its more troubling immediate challenges is the prevalence of severe food insecurity which the recent survey says has increased by 72 per cent since the onset of the pandemic, and by 44 per cent as compared to one year ago.
