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Emergency Response to Effects of COVID-19 Crisis in Pacific Island Countries - TCP/SAP/3801​

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 10

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Project

Synopsis (short abstract) Despite the lack of COVID-19 cases in Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the pandemic’s impact in the region was significant, with a state of emergency issued by all islands, border closures, and limited access to food supply and livelihood opportunities. It was recognized that a prolonged pandemic with disruptions to global and local supply chains (including production, processing, export and transportation) would seriously affect the region’s food systems. In many Pacific SIDS, imported foods constitute half of an average person’s food intake. However, most rural populations produce and consume their own food. While some island nations have a price control mechanism for foods considered essential (including rice, vegetable oil, milk, salt, canned tuna and sugar), the prices of other, non-controlled foods (such as fruit and vegetables) increased as a result of domestic supply chain disruptions. Access to seed, fertilizer and livestock feed was hampered by lockdowns, border closure and a shortage of supply in exporting countries. Small-scale fishing activities by local communities increased as a result of reduced access to imported foods and atoll nations in particular introduced plans to increase small-scale fishing in their coastal areas. Communities living in urban and peri-urban areas turned to growing food, setting up vegetable gardens where possible and buying more local foods.

Language English

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