The COVID-19 crisis plunged the world economy into a recession with historical levels of unemployment and deprivation, meaning this is a crisis of jobs and livelihoods as well health. Small and medium-sized enterprises, farm workers, the self-employed, daily wage earners, informal sector workers, women, youth, refugees and migrant workers are hit the hardest. In response, the UN has focused on supporting member states and constituents in developing policies and programmes to protect jobs and incomes of the most vulnerable workers and hard-hit sectors to prevent the collapse of economic activity and associated labour market distress. Ensuring the continued or improved functioning of small producers, informal workers and SMEs across sectors is vital to ensure production of, and access to, food and other essential goods and services.