How can countries prevent shocks and disasters from turning into food crises? Analysis points to resilience measures
Floods, wildfires, conflicts, earthquakes, economic shocks, hurricanes or epidemics: These unexpected and often dramatic events affect people's lives and jobs, destroy crops, wipe out livestock and stored food, contaminate water, block roads, cut off communities and severely affect access to markets and food. This is a distressing picture—one expected to get much worse in the near future because…
Natural and human-made disasters, ranging from floods to conflicts, can devastate communities, destroy crops and livestock, contaminate water sources, disrupt transportation, and disrupt market access, leading to food insecurity. While the world faces an uncertain future due to climate change and societal polarization, a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that these events do not necessarily result in hunger.
The researchers emphasize the importance of resilience, which refers to a country's ability to withstand disturbances and maintain its functioning during disasters. By examining data from numerous countries over a decade, the study reveals that preparedness plays a crucial role in determining a country's resilience.
For instance, certain Asian nations have shown improving food security trends despite facing more severe disasters compared to other regions. This finding highlights that food crises are not inevitable and can be avoided if countries, particularly their food systems, are adequately prepared.
To enhance the resilience of food systems, the study suggests several measures. Firstly, having multiple sources of food can reduce the risk of crises. Secondly, effective government services and improved capabilities, including access to technology and financial markets, are vital. Lastly, strong community networks and social capital contribute to long-term resilience.
By prioritizing the strengthening of government capacities, promoting food system diversity, and investing in human capabilities at the household and community levels, countries can mitigate the impacts of disasters on food security.
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