Insegurança alimentar e nutricional e a pandemia por Covid-19 na região Nordeste

Abstract

In Brazil, the Covid-19 pandemic aggravated the poverty and social inequities that already exist in the country. This current scenario, associated with the dismantling of public policies and programs aimed at SAN over the years, favored the increase in the prevalence of Food and Nutritional Insecurity (INSAN). This paper aims to provide na overview of INSAN in the Northeast region and analyze the governmental actions aimed at SAN implemented during the pandemic by Covid-19. This is a literature review with analysis of bibliographic and documental sources. The analysis of food insecurity in the Northeast region was carried out using the results of the VigiSAN Survey in the contexto of Covid-19 in Brazil, carried out by the Brazilian Research Network on Food and Nutritional Sovereignty and Security. The identification of the actions of the Federal Government were carried out through government decrees, CCOP bulletins, journalistic reports and a bibliographic survey on the SciELO website. Through the results obtained, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of INSAN in Brazil, especially in the Northeast region, both in urban and rural areas, in addition to significant setbacks in ensuring the DHAA, since moderate and severe food insecurity had higher levels to those of 2004. This situation reflects the sanitary, economic and political crisis experienced by the population over the years, resulting from successive dismantling in public policies and the high degree of social vulnerability, associated with the aggravation caused by Covid-19. The emergency measures carried out by the Federal Government and the States of the Northeast region consist of temporary actions, aimed at supplementing the income of families in a situation of social vulnerability and access to food. To mitigate the long-term impacts of the pandemic and ensure the DHAA through the SAN guarantee, it is necessary to strengthen programs such as the National School Feeding Policy (PNAE) and the Food Acquisition Program (PAA) and public facilities such as the food bank and popular restaurants, encourage family farming through institutional purchases and policies that guarantee access to fertile land for planting. The Covid-19 pandemic brought to light social inequalities and ills, as well as the neglect of public policies and programs aimed at social assistance, health and education, especially in the Northeast region.