Food Security, Hunger and Social Protection

Governments at the 1996 World Food summit defined food security as existing “when all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”. Food scarcity hits many regions of the world every year. Food insecurity can range from temporary, localised food shortages to protracted and large-scale famine. Chronic, widespread poverty in some regions means millions of people are permanently vulnerable to famine.

Food security ensures reduction of that vulnerability. But people vulnerable to food shortages and famine cannot wait for longer term development programmes to bring them out of poverty. Addressing food insecurity means increasing food production and addressing the root causes of vulnerability through a range of interventions, including rural development, agricultural research, building livelihoods and social protection. It also means addressing shortfalls now, in the form of famine relief.

Further Readings

Methods, Results and Policy Implications of Poverty and Food Security Mapping Assessments
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Social Protection for the Poorest in Africa - Learning from Experience
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Date: 8-10th September 2008 details
Abstracts Deadline: 12 April 2008. PDF