Panama has made significant strides in reducing hunger over the last two decades, transitioning from a prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) of 27.6% in 2001 to 5.3% in 2022. This places the country below the regional average for Latin America and the Caribbean, which stands at 7.9%. However, it still slightly exceeds the average for the Central American region, where the prevalence of undernourishment is 5%. Despite this progress, the cost of a healthy diet remains high for the population, and the percentage of people unable to afford a healthy diet has remained relatively constant, with 17.5% of the population in 2017 and 17% in 2021. It is worthy of note that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, this figure was decreasing, but it picked up almost 19% of the population in 2020. Nonetheless, Panama has the second smallest figure in the subregion, averaging 22.2% of unaffordability in 2021.
The Climate Resilient Food Systems (CRFS) Alliance initiated a set of country case studies to advance its work. The case studies provide proactive engagement with the countries while also providing opportunities for the alliance to gather lessons, challenges, opportunities and good practices in providing and coordinating support. The case studies and support thereof will draw upon existing national policies, frameworks, plans and strategies.
The case studies entail the following general set of steps:
- Identifying key issues related to climate-resilient food systems and possible actions to be implemented by the alliance;
- Designing and implementing activities, drawing upon existing activities from the members of the alliance and other stakeholders;
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning.
This case study on Panama includes an analysis of the country’s agrifood system, a risk assessment, landscape of climate, agriculture, and food system policies, priority actions in climate and food systems, as well as needs and gaps for implementation.