Read the following passage and answer the questions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic loss of human life worldwide and presents an unprecedented challenge to public health, food systems and world of work. The economic and social disruption caused by the pandemic is devastating_: tens of millions of people are at risk of falling into extreme poverty, while the number of undeernourished people, currently estimated at nearly 690 million, could increase by up to 132 million by the end of the year.
Millions of enterprises face an existential threat. Nearly half of the world's 3.3 billion global workforce are at risk of losing their livelihood. Informal economy workers are particularly vulnerable because the minority lack social protection and access to quality healthcare and have lost access to productive assets. Without the means to eam an income during lockdowns, many are unable to feed themselves and their families. For most, no income means no food, or at best. less food and less nutritious food.
Now is the time for global solidarity and support, especially with the most vulnerable in our societies, particularly in the emerging and developing world. Only together can we overcome the intertwined health and social and economic impacts of the pandemic and prevent its escalation into a protracted humanitarian and food security catastrophe with the potential loss of already achieved development gains.
We must recognise this opportunity to build back better, as noted in the Policy Brief issued by the United Nations Secretary-General. We are committed to pooling our expertise and experience to support countries in their crisis response measures and efforts to achieve the sustainable Development Goals. We need to develop long-term sustainable strategies to address the challenges facing the health and agri-foods sectors. Priority should be given to addressing underlying food secuity and malnutrition challenges, tackling rural poverty, in particular through more and better jobs in the rural economy, extending social protection to all, facilitating, safe migration pathways and promoting the formalization of the informal economy.
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