Government strategies to ensure the human right to adequate and healthy food facing the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil

Abstract The Covid-19 pandemic revealed a concrete and immediate threat to food and nutrition security (FNS), especially for vulnerable groups. This study aimed to identify government strategies implemented in Brazil to provide the Human Right to Adequate and Healthy Food in high social vulnerability contexts during the Covid-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was carried out, with analysis of official documents published between March 20 and July 30, 2020, by the Federal Government, Federal District, Brazilian states, and capitals, focusing on measures to ensure availability and physical or financial access to food. Strategies implemented mainly involve food distribution and minimum income assurance. The following were implemented: Basic Emergency Income (Federal Government); Food Acquisition Program (PAA), and emergency financial aid (states); emergency food donation programs (states and municipalities). Existing measures were adapted to the pandemic, such as the National School Food Program (PNAE), the National Food Acquisition Program (PAA), and the distribution of food and staple food baskets. While essential, these strategies have limited scope and are insufficient to ensure FNS.

摘要 新冠疫情暴露出粮食与营养安全（Food and Nutrition Security, FNS）面临切实且紧迫的威胁，对弱势群体而言尤为严重。本研究旨在识别新冠疫情期间，巴西在高社会脆弱性背景下为落实充足与健康食物权所推行的政府策略。本研究采用横断面研究设计，对巴西联邦政府、联邦区、各州及首府于2020年3月20日至7月30日期间发布的官方文件开展分析，重点围绕保障粮食可得性及实物或经济可及性的相关措施展开。
所推行的策略主要涵盖食品分发与最低收入保障两大方向，具体包括：联邦政府实施的基本紧急收入计划；各州推出的食品采购计划（Food Acquisition Program, PAA）与紧急财政援助；各州及市政当局开展的紧急食品捐赠项目。
现有相关举措已针对疫情形势完成适配调整，例如全国学校供餐计划（National School Food Program, PNAE）、全国食品采购计划（National Food Acquisition Program, PAA），以及食品与主食礼包的分发工作。尽管上述举措具备必要性，但其覆盖范围有限，无法充分保障粮食与营养安全。