Economic and Social Development Department The State of Food Insecurity in the World Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic crisis: impacts and lessons learned Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Rome, October 2009

2 The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World Some basic terms and definitions Food Security: exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food Undernourishment: describes the status of persons, whose food intake regularly provides less than their minimum energy requirements Hunger Targets: are outlined in two main agreements – the World Food Summit Target and the Millennium Development Goals

3 The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World Source: The State of Food Insecurity in the World, FAO (2009). Value for 2009 is a projection. Trends in world hunger

4 The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World Where do the hungry live? Source: The State of Food Insecurity in the World, FAO (2009).

5 The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World The FAO Hunger Map Source: The State of Food Insecurity in the World, FAO (2009).

6 The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World Reasons for the increase of hunger The food price crisis The global economic slowdown Insufficient investment in agriculture The increase is not a result of poor crop harvest

7 The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World The Food Price Crisis Source: The State of Food Insecurity in the World, FAO (2009). Percentage change,

8 The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World Global crisis hits developing countries Higher unemployment Lower capital inflows (remittances, aid, FDI) Less export opportunities Few policy options due to global nature of crisis: e.g. no currency devaluation or external borrowing

9 The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World Low investment in agriculture Source: Creditor Reporting System, OECD (2009)

10 The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World Coping mechanisms come at a cost New economic activities Increased participation in economic activities Migration Reduced leisure; maternal care may suffer Loss of community cohesion; family break-ups Consumption smoothing Sale of assets Borrowing Reduction or loss of future earning potential Change in consumption patterns Shift from expensive, more nutrient-rich foods Reduced expenditure on health, education etc. Malnutrition Degradation of health status and education ACTIONS COSTS Source: The State of Food Insecurity in the World, FAO (2009).

11 The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World Towards eliminating hunger ending hunger Track 1: strengthen productivity and income Track 2: provide direct access to food infrastructure laws policies science & technology food aid cash transfers safety nets access to seeds, fertilizers and farming equipment

12 The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World Towards eliminating hunger ending hunger Track 1: strengthen productivity and income Track 2: provide direct access to food infrastructure laws policies science & technology food aid cash transfers safety nets access to seeds, fertilizers and farming equipment

13 The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World Towards eliminating hunger ending hunger Track 1: strengthen productivity and income Track 2: provide direct access to food infrastructure laws policies science & technology food aid cash transfers safety nets access to seeds, fertilizers and farming equipment

14 The State of Food Insecurity in the World Economic and Social Development Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The State of Food Insecurity in the World The international reference on global hunger issues. Available on FAOs website in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese For more information