Global Food Crisis - Confronting Challenges
Although the analysis of the consequences of global food trends is developing on almost a daily basis, the humanitarian and development communities are defining immediate actions and messages to respond to the challenges - and opportunities - that are already evident.
Challenges
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Burundi: Food worries for thousands rendered homeless by heavy rains that have destroyed at least 1,000 houses in Mugina commune, Cibitoke province [Photo: IRIN]
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Social and political unrest
Riots and protests over rising food prices demonstrate the potential impact on security and stability. In countries emerging from violent conflict, political and economic progress is easily derailed. Urgent efforts are needed to monitor food markets and prices, factor food-related unrest into conflict early-warning systems, integrate food security into peace-building and prepare contingency plans.
Limitations on emergency distributions
Additional funds to support food and transport costs will be needed by numerous organizations and agencies just to maintain current levels of assistance. If trends continue as predicted, extra needs for humanitarian operations could easily run into billions of dollars. The donor community must therefore be prepared both to provide significant extra resources and also, together with the food aid and assistance community, to establish clear priorities and plans.
Shifting national reactions
Most food-importing countries have reduced or eliminated import tariffs and taxes; many food-exporting countries, at the same time, have imposed export tariffs and quotas, or have banned exports altogether. A few countries are making purchases to replenish stockpiles and strategic reserves, while others are increasing subsidy levels or examining the possibility of rationing. The potential impacts of such measures need to be assessed in order to avoid long-term consequences.
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According to a WFP representative in Yemen, 40 percent of the population is malnourished [Photo: IRIN]
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Greater food insecurity and malnutrition
There are currently no global estimates of how many people are becoming food insecure. Multiple signs of distress in the poorest households – selling assets, eating less and eating less well – provide anecdotal evidence of the impact of higher food prices. Needs assessments and vulnerability analyses require urgent improvements, and effective safety nets established (in the form of food, vouchers or cash transfers, school feeding, employment programs, etc.) to protect vulnerable populations.
Impact of climate change
Seventy per cent of the world’s poorest people live in rural areas and rely largely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Drought and climate variations will affect agricultural yields, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where 93 per cent of farmland is rain-fed. Environmental degradation, compounded by the effects of climate change, will further impair agricultural production.
Implications for vulnerable groups
For the poorest, higher food prices translate into an even poorer diet, with families shifting from more nutritious foods to energy-dense cereals. In addition, poor households are likely to allocate greater expenditure to food, to the detriment of non-food expenditure, leading to asset depletion or lower school attendance, for example, rather than decreased food consumption. Meanwhile, 40 million HIV-affected depend on food for their medicines to work, and the maternal-mortality risk rises with lower nutrition levels.
Despite the complex challenges posed by rising food prices, there are also opportunities to bring about positive change.
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Global Food Crisis:
Global Food Trends - Confronting Challenges - Opportunities for Positive Change - Latest Updates