NIPN's objective is to provide decision-makers with timely information which can guide the policy process for improved nutrition outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, NIPN has been seeking innovative ways to inform decision-makers, by tapping into its existing partnerships and by taking advantage of webinars to reach a large audience.
In Ethiopia, the first case of COVID-19 was detected on March 13, 2020. The Ethiopian government responded quickly and has taken a comprehensive set of policy actions to reduce the risk of further expansion of the virus.
On May 14, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, the International Food Policy Research Institute and the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) joined hands to organize a webinar on the impact of these measures and of the international economic slow-down on Ethiopia, focusing specifically on the food and nutrition security, the economy, the feasibility and prospects of some prevention measures for nutrition and health, and on the agriculture value chains. The event included a panel of four speakers who presented their recent analysis on these topics, and which was based on either phone surveys, economic modeling or on an analysis of existing health and nutrition datasets. These brief presentations were followed by a question and answer session which engaged many experts from different sectors and institutions. Over 220 participants attended the webinar. You can find the recording of the event here and the presentations here