Information and stories about United Nations.

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What Is Global Food Insecurity?

Global Food Insecurity
There really is no formula to defining global food insecurity. Still, many world health organizations use the term to point out deficiencies in global food security. To understand what something is, it sometimes helps to understand what it is not. This may just be the case with food insecurity. To understand food insecurity, that is, one must first define and understand food security and work backwards. If food security does not exist, then, by definition, you have food insecurity.

The World Food Summit of 1996 defined food security as existing “when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.” This definition hinges on three qualifications: namely food availability, food access, and food use. Lacking one of these elements of food security, a population faces food insecurity, which can and does arise in an endless permutation of manners.

 

Global Food Insecurity: Failing Food Security Criteria

 

To establish food security, say, in a developing nation, food must first be available on a consistent basis. Some will argue that there is currently enough food in the world to feed everyone in the world. Nonetheless, people go hungry due to inconsistency in their daily intake of food. For example, one may go days without a meal. In this situation, a cornucopia of food, arriving two weeks later, does nothing to alleviate that person’s current hunger. As such, food security depends on food availability.

Second, the nation’s population must have access to the right kinds of food to sustain a healthy diet. Not only must a person have food available, that is, it must be the right kind of food. For example, a human cannot survive on rice alone. We need all different kinds of food to live healthy lives. The definition of healthy diet here also includes accommodations to particular dietary needs, such as avoiding certain foods or increasing intake of others.

Finally, food security requires appropriate use of food based on adequate knowledge of basic nutrition and care. In order to maintain a healthy diet, one must know how to eat the food that is available to him or her and portion that food out in a way that best serves the needs of his or her body. When USAID drops bags of food over Africa, for example, it will be helpful to also teach those receiving the aid how to ration the food. Basic sanitation and access to water are included in appropriate use to complete the qualifications of food security.

If even one of these three elements or qualifications is not met, it is easy to see how even a full plate of food, three times a day, may not be enough to maintain a healthy diet. Food security requires that the food is enough to satisfy the short, mid, and long-term needs of the human body and that the person consuming the food does so in an appropriate manner to maintain him or herself. Global food insecurity, or deficient food security from a worldwide perspective, exists in a world where even one person goes hungry.

Though great strides have been made in alleviating global hunger, the current level of food insecurity is unacceptable. Even in the United States, 1 out of 10 households were food insecure, hence the importance of food provision and education programs, like, local food banks. To learn more about food (in)security in the U.S., you can visit this site.

– Herman Watson

Sources: U.S. Food Aid and Security, World Health Organization, World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization
Photo: Security and Sustainability Forum

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What Malala Means to Women Worldwide

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In a piece on the Huffington Post website on July 8, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon highlighted the young Pakistani girl Malala Yousafzai as an example of the empowering effect of education.

Malala entered the public domain in 2009 when she was in a BBC documentary about life under the Taliban. Three years later, in October 2012, she was shot in the head by a member of the Taliban who boarded her school bus because of her fight for girls’ education. The story gained international recognition. Since then Malala has been named one of TIME magazine’s most influential people of 2013, and has continued to advocate for girls’ education. On July 12, Malala was joined by hundreds of students from more than 80 countries in a unique Youth Assembly where they demanded quality education for children across the globe.

Ban Ki-Moon contended that violent actions against Malala, her teachers, and her fellow students prove how frightened extremists are of empowering women. For every year of schooling she attends, a girl’s future earnings increase by 20%. Ban asserts that Malala and her colleagues are teaching the world the lesson that “education is the pathway to saving lives, building peace, and empowering young people.”

With this in mind the Secretary-General enacted the “Global Education First” Initiative, a program with the goal of getting all children in schools with an improved quality of education that prepares them to grow up to be global citizens. The 57 million children out of primary school deserve a proper education because education is a fundamental human right.

July 12 marks the United Nations’ Malala Day, where Malala addressed over 500 youth at the UN and celebrated her birthday. The Secretary-General recognized in his article for the Huffington Post the importance of the courageous actions of students like Malala, and how the education which they advocate for is crucial for development and growth in the global system.

– Martin Drake

Source: Huffington Post, BBC
Photo: Mid Day

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UNHCR Ends Rwandan Refugees Status

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Tens of thousands of Rwandans await news on their status as refugee. The June 30th deadline for the discontinuation of refugee status has passed and the future seems uncertain for those who have yet to return to their home country. Fear still lingers with many Rwandans in the aftermath of the 1994 civil war and genocide that shook the country.

UNHCR has now recommended that countries housing Rwandan refugees invoke the “ceased circumstances” clause of the 1951 Refugee Convention. This clause ensures the return of refugees to their home countries when they are no longer persecuted. Because Rwanda has existed peacefully since the end of the 1994 genocide, they seem an ideal candidate for refugee return. Stability has returned and the justice system has worked hard to punish those responsible for genocide crimes and to reintegrate and reestablish healthy communities.

Refugees, however, have their own perceptions of their safety within Rwanda’s borders. Many refugees still fear persecution from the government and believe while situations have improved, there is still reason for hesitation. Many Rwandan civilians are still actively seeking asylum despite the reported safety of the country, thus questioning why UNHCR would invoke the ensured return clause. Many Rwandans are undoubtedly battling the  physical and psychological injuries sustained during Rwanda’s brutal genocide.

To date, only four African countries have followed the UNHCR’s recommendation to invoke cessation including Malawi, the Republic of Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This proclamation by UNHCR has been subject to widespread criticism by many who claim that it holds Rwandans hostage to their fear, pushing them home when they still do not feel safe. Some Rwandans fear that if they return, the country will be less stable, safe and free from persecution than UNHCR would like them to believe.

The Rwandan government has issued statements claiming they are prepared to receive the refugees back home. They claim to have developed a plan to successfully repatriate and reintegrate citizens. Government officials insist that the conditions of 1994, which forced Rwandans to flee, no longer exist. The country has undergone a vast reconstruction, which has included improvements to transit centers, education and health facilities. They have worked hard to help reintegrate citizens into society. Now the task at hand is to make Rwandan refugees feel safe in their homes once again.

– Caitlin Zusy
Sources: IRIN, New Times

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Top 5 Malala Quotes

Malala_Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani teenager shot by the Taliban after advocating for girls’ right to education, addressed the United Nations on her 16th birthday, speaking about the power of education to overcome extremism. The U.N. declared July 12 “Malala Day” to honor Yousafzai, who went back to school in March after recovering from the October attack.

According to a report released by UNESCO and Save the Children, 95 percent of the 28.5 million children who are not receiving a primary education live in low and lower-middle income countries, and girls make up 55 percent of those who are not in school. The report also stated that there were more than 3,600 documented attacks on education similar to that faced by Yousafzai. Listed below are five of her most inspiring “Malala quotes”, which highlight the influence and importance of education.

  1. “We realized the importance of pens and books when we saw the guns. The extremists are afraid of books and pens. The power of education frightens them.”
  2. “There was a time when women social activists asked men to stand up for women’s rights, but this time we will do it by ourselves.”
  3. “I raise up my voice – not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.””
  4. “We cannot succeed when half of us are held back.”
  5. “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first.”

– Katie Bandera

Sources: Huffington Post
Photo: The Guardian

 

Read Humanitarian Quotes.

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New Crisis Models are Good News for Syrian Refugees

New Crisis Models are Good News for Syrian Refugees
As thousands of Syrian refugees flood into neighboring countries, Lebanon stands out as a particularly sought-after harbor. The country’s proximity to Syria makes it a prime target for refugees and, the entourage of international organizations that come with them. Unlike their counterparts in other countries, however, Syrians in Lebanon are not living in camps—for the most part, they are looking for apartments, hunting for jobs, and otherwise acting like typical immigrants. Except that there are a million of them doing so.

Lebanon, which struggles to support its own population of four million, is staggering under the weight of the massive influx of refugees. Because the UN deliberately avoided internment as a solution, Syrians wander Lebanese streets and sleep under Lebanese roofs. Of course, a million extra people with no homes cause serious unrest, not to mention the dramatic surplus of demand that has thrown the Lebanese economy into a tailspin. As prices spike, jobs dwindle, and aid that originally flowed to the Lebanese gets repurposed for refugee relief, the Lebanese, understandably, grow hostile to the Syrians in their midst.

“At first, we were sympathetic, but now it has changed,” says one Lebanese family. “We used to get assistance, food parcels, assistance with school fees, food parcels, diesel fuel, and other aid, but we get nothing at all now.”

The growing dissent among locals signals the lack of coordination and direction of international efforts, which have collectively ignored host-side problems and thus complicated host-refugee relationships.

World Vision, one of the NGOs with the greatest presence in the Syrian refugee crisis, has been active in focusing on both short-term relief goals and longer-term development goals among host populations. The organization has long called for holistic programs aimed at refugee-host integration, increased funding for agencies that recognize the crisis’ underlying social problems, and improved consulting on the ground for a more effective and coordinated response.

In response to the ever-increasing need for both relief and local development, the World Food Program launched a food voucher program in the region in partnership with NGOs like World Vision. The program allocates aid money for expenditures in local food markets, a move designed to both feed hungry refugees and empowers the poor farmers and grocers who can feed them.

Sara Pantuliano, the director of the Humanitarian Policy Group at the Overseas Development Institute, applauds the work done by organizations like Vision and the WFP. Her institute focuses on protracted refugee situations and the myriad of issues surrounding population integration, and she sees plenty of hope in their work. “We see some improvement in donor responses, in some agencies’ response,” she said.

However, she also recognizes that much of their kind of work runs against the grain of the typical refugee crisis response. “They continue to be the exception in many ways,” she admitted.

– John Mahon

Sources: Devex, Overseas Development Institute, World Vision
Photo: The Electronic Intifada

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International Day of Co-operatives

July 6, 2013 marked the International Day of Co-operatives, a type of organization that is integral to development and one of the most common institutions at village level in Africa. The International Day of Co-operatives was created to “increase awareness of co-operatives and promote the movement’s successes and ideals of international solidarity, economic efficiency, equality, and world peace,” according to the International Co-operative Alliance’s website.

Co-operatives are membership-based organizations owned by the people who benefit directly from the co-operative’s goods and services. The International Co-operative Alliance defines a co-operative as “an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.” In essence, co-operatives are business enterprises owned and controlled by the very members that they serve.

Co-operatives come in all forms, ranging from consumer to producer organizations, and they help promote ethics and values in business and economics as they are run directly by those using their services. Snake-charmers in Ethiopia or village credit co-operatives are two diverse examples of co-operative organizations.

Self-help projects are often pursued through co-ops, enabling small farmers or labor groups to pool resources to gain a strong bargaining power and lower the prices of goods and services. There are over 1 billion members of co-operatives around the world. Given the power that co-operatives yield to consumers and producers alike, they are crucial for development and empowering the poor.

This is why the UN created the International Day of Co-operatives, and why last year was also the International Year of Co-operatives. Co-operative organizations help organize the informal economy in the developing world and, like labor unions, unite members of the developing world in a way that gives them more bargaining and purchasing power. As United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said, “Cooperatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility.”

– Martin Drake

Sources: The Guardian, ICA, UN
Photo: IFAD

UN Forum Aims to Strengthen Disabled Employment

Around the world, more than one billion people live with disabilities. Of these one billion people, roughly 800 million are of working age but encounter physical, social, and economic restraints from accessing education, employment, and ways to develop skills.

Roughly 54 million Americans have a disability and this number continues to grow. Much like the rest of the world, Americans with disabilities face greater financial difficulties than those without. Those with a disability double their likelihood of living with an annual household income of $15,000 or less.

In an attempt to alleviate the stresses of the disabled and empower them with equal opportunities the United Nations began a three day meeting. Beginning on July 17th, they aimed at improving the lives of the globally disabled, both occupationally and by strengthening the standard of living.

A background paper for the 6th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) states that the disabled face a higher likelihood of living in poverty than those that are not disabled. The paper also found that the economic status of a country had little impact on the placement of the disabled in society.

Yet, according to a pilot study conducted by the UN International Labour Organziation (ILO), it is not advisable to exclude the disabled minority. Performed in ten low and middle income countries, the ILO found that when those with disabilities were rejected from the labor market there was an estimated loss of 3-7% of the country’s GDP. By not educating and tapping into this handicapped minority, many countries are losing out on a pool of skilled workers.

Meeting annually, these States Parties come together for the CRPD to discuss experiences and ways in which to protect disabled rights. However, it is acknowledged that the convention is a stepping stone for the national protection of disabled persons. As Ivan Šimonović, Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights, stated, “The obligations of the Convention must be implemented at the national level to take real effect in the lives of persons with disabilities. Changes in law, policies and programs are required. But even more importantly, attitudes must change.”

– Michael Carney 

Sources: All Africa, Disability Funder’s Network, UN News Centre
Photo: Facebook

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AMREF USA’s Pledge for a Healthy Africa

AMREF USA’s Pledge for a Healthy AfricaDespite the substantial improvements made in the last few decades, Africa still faces major public health problems. The continent accounts for two-thirds of the global population infected with HIV/AIDS, with 22.5 million citizens suffering. Malaria and diarrhea continue to kill children daily. The rise of tuberculosis, prevalent in mining areas across Africa, infected 2.3 million citizens in 2011 and killed 220,000. And childbirth still remains very dangerous, with 1 in every 16 women dying while giving birth.

African Medical and Research Foundation USA seeks to improve the health standards of all African nations, one community at a time. Founded in 1957, AMREF looks to improve the quality of life for African communities and eradicate public health problems.

AMREF understands local health systems are essential in developing quality, sustainable health standards. AMREF has trained many African locals to return to their communities in order to improve health conditions. The organization educates volunteers and on the symptoms and treatment of diseases to prevent diseases from spreading further and decrease the number of citizens infected. AMREF has trained over 10,000 health workers in over 40 African nations.

AMREF estimates that a million more health workers need to be properly trained and educated to meet the United Nation’s Millenium Development Goals for improved public health. As the fight for better health conditions in Africa continues, educating and training citizens may be the solution for healthier African communities and improved health standards.

– William Norris

Sources: AMREF USA, All Africa
Photo: Flickr

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The UNDP in Rural Belarus


Despite the fact that Belarus has one of the lowest poverty rates of the post-Soviet states, poverty, though not extreme, threatens the welfare of her people. Only 1% of Belarusians are living on less than $1 a day, but a more concerning 27.1% are below the poverty line, with 17.8% living below the minimum subsistence level. The “minimum subsistence level” is defined per the Czech Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs as “a minimum level of income, which is considered to be necessary to ensure sustenance and other basic personal needs at a level allowing the individual to survive.” The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Belarus identifies the “rural population, children, and single-parent households” as the most vulnerable victims of poverty.

Fortunately, the UNDP is executing a poverty reduction plan in Belarus that fosters the development of small businesses and, therefore, encourages a vibrant private sector. The plan is spearheaded by multiple players, from the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank to the Belarusian government and small rural Belarusian businesses. The UNDP hopes that the installation of an agricultural business sector will rejuvenate rural Belarus and bring an end to poverty in the Eastern European country.

Rural initiatives are especially necessary in former Soviet territories where local economies have declined due to the rocky transition from collective to private farming that occurred after the fall of the USSR in the early 1990’s. Agricultural workers were completely unprepared to grow crops on their own. This resulted in a situation in which uneducated farmers with limited resources in a now free-market economy were unable to maximize the productivity of their land.

Part of the UNDP’s strategy has included the establishment of the Rural Business Development Center outside of Minsk, the nation’s capital. The Center is the legal hub for the development of former Soviet collective farms into efficient private enterprises. The director of the Center, Alla Voitekhovich, describes the day-to-day activities of the Center as including the “registration of small enterprises, the conducting of market surveys, (and) the facilitation of job creation,” among other efforts. The RBDC also holds workshops for small business owners and entrepreneurs and has recently begun to encourage local farmers to exploit agro-tourism as a means of job creation in the region.

The UNDP says that rural poverty has been significantly reduced in Belarus in the last decade, stating “From 2000 to 2009, the share of poor households dropped by 7.4 times in rural areas.” Surely, the UNDP has made great strides in Belarus, breathing new life into an agricultural system that only a short time ago seemed irreparably broken. The success of the UNDP in rural Belarus is truly a testament to the resourcefulness and efficiency of the United Nations.

– Josh Forgét

Sources: UNDP Belarus, CIA World Factbook, Czech Republic Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
Photo: Spotlight

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What is the UN Foundation?

The United Nations Foundation is a partner of the United Nations, though it is not directly involved in achieving the UN’s goals on the ground. It was started after multimillionaire philanthropist Ted Turner donated $1 billion as a show of his support for the UN’s objectives. Primarily a funding body, the foundation was established in 1998 –- long after the UN’s 1945 inauguration –- to ensure governments adhere to the commitments they have made to the UN and to secure funding for UN projects worldwide. Additionally, the UN foundation works to connect other organizations, individuals, and businesses in partnership with the UN.

The UN Foundation recognizes the role enterprise has to play in development. Accordingly, it has formed 300 partnerships and garnered over $2 billion in direct aid for UN projects. Examples of the Foundation’s work include partnerships with Vodafone to assist in capitalizing on the spread of technology as an aid to development efforts, with Expedia to protect and increase education about World Heritage Sites, and with multiple US corporations, such as Orkin, Hewlett-Packard and United Airlines, to support the Nothing but Nets campaign which provides mosquito nets in malaria prone regions.

The UN Foundation’s work is particularly important as one of the notorious pitfalls of development projects is the disconnect among organizations working on the same issue. The approach of disparate entities working separately on the same issue breeds inefficiency. Without coordinating past and current efforts, institutions often use the same flawed approaches, compete for resources, and waste energy on unnecessary projects. The Foundation’s work streamlines efforts, capabilities and resources to create a single, coordinated powerhouse initiative on a given project, which has the potential to produce far better results.

Though the UN Foundation is not itself an intervening body, its services have proven invaluable to the continuing efforts of the United Nations in alleviating poverty and instituting programs for sustainable development worldwide.

– Farahnaz Mohammed

Sources: UN Business, UN Foundation
Photo: UN Women Flickr