Pandemic-related hunger affects 19 million Brazilians

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – In a public hearing of the Chamber of Deputies’ Social Security and Family Committee on Friday, May 21, a survey with figures from the end of 2020 was presented, showing that 19 million Brazilians are in a serious situation regarding food access.

The data from the National Survey on Food Insecurity in the Context of Covid shows that 55.2% of the Brazilian population suffers some kind of threat to the right to food. The most severe situation affects the same portion that is victim of extreme poverty, mainly women heads of household, black or mixed race, with low schooling and informal work.

The study points out that the pandemic has exacerbated a problem that had been happening for some time.

The scenario is worse in rural areas and in the North and Northeast regions, but, as the representative of the Brazilian Research Network on Food Sovereignty and Security (Rede Penssan) Ana Maria Segall confirms, the health crisis has spread hunger across the country.

“Even the South and Southeast, which are regions a little better protected from this situation, had around 50% of their families also in a situation of food insecurity. Only 53% of them had a guarantee of full access to food, and a severe food insecurity of around 6%, reaching over 10% for moderate and severe,” she alerted.

The speakers emphasized that, in addition to access, quality food must be guaranteed, which they called “real food”. Janine Giuberti, from the Brazilian Consumer Defense Institute (Idec), stressed the growth in consumption of ultra-processed foods during the pandemic in the age group between 45 and 55, which increases the risk of depression, cancer, and premature death.

End of CONSEA

The public hearing participants criticized several actions of the federal government, such as the extinction of the National Food Security Council (CONSEA). Deputy Padre João (PT-MG), who suggested the debate, also lamented the end of CONSEA, but praised the existence of state and municipal councils on the issue.

“It didn’t disband the people, it didn’t disband entities, and it didn’t lead to disenchantment with the fight for food security,” he said.

The reduction in stocks of basic foodstuffs and the rise in prices were also highlighted. The representative of the Brazilian Food Industry Association (ABIA), João Dornellas, stressed the efforts to prevent shortages during the pandemic. He blamed the increases on readjustments in the value of raw materials and the high dollar exchange rate.

Emergency aid

Many speakers complained about the reduction in the amount of emergency aid granted to the most vulnerable population, which also hinders their access to food. Claudeilton Luz, from the Movement of Small Farmers, was one who expressed this position.

“Food as a social right, to life and to the dignity of the human person as central to our Democratic State. And this involves the approval and increase of the emergency aid, to at least R$600 (US$110), which we know is still insufficient; imagine R$150, R$370,” he noted.

During the discussion, civil society representatives recalled the importance of the National School Meals Program (PNAE) to reduce hunger in the country and reported that a number of bills under discussion in Congress threaten the program’s structure.