Compound natural and human disasters: Managing drought and COVID-19 to sustain global agriculture and food sectors

Individually, both droughts and pandemics cause disruptions to global food supply chains. The 21st century has seen the frequent occurrence of both natural and human disasters, including droughts and pandemics. Together their impacts can be compounded, leading to severe economic stress and malnutrition, particularly in developing countries. Understanding how droughts and pandemics interact, and identifying appropriate policies to address them together and separately, is important for maintaining a robust global food supply. Herein we assess the impacts of each of these disasters in the context of food and agriculture, and then discuss their compounded effect. We discuss the implications for policy, and suggest opportunities for future research. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Both droughts and pandemics individually disrupt global food supply chains. Understanding the interaction between the two and implementing appropriate policies to address their compounded effects is crucial for maintaining a robust global food supply.