Global Food Crisis


Bijago Archipelago, Guinea Bissau: Children at Eva Orango school eat food provided by WFP [Photo: IRIN]

The recent spike in food prices represents an unprecedented challenge affecting millions of people worldwide - particularly the most vulnerable, including the urban poor.

This complex scenario, stemming from a variety of causes, demands a coordinated response by the UN family, along with partner organizations. Together they can mobilize emergency relief, support national agricultural capacity, and assist governments on trade and economic policies.

On 29 April 2008, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the creation of a High Level Task Force on the global food crisis. Its primary aim is to coordinate the efforts of the United Nations system in addressing the crisis in all aspects. USG John Holmes was appointed Coordinator of the Task Force. 

The High-Level Conference on Food Security, held 3-5 June in Rome, examines the impact of soaring food prices and the challenges of climate change and energy security.  

[Read more:  Overview  -  Latest Updates]

 

Myanmar - Tropical Cyclone Nargis

ERC John Holmes meets with displaced cyclone victims in Setsan Village, Myanmar [Photo: OCHA]

The international community has reached 729,000 people in need of assistance following Cyclone Nargis’ deadly and destructive onslaught in May. This effort has seen the distribution of more than 14,000 tons of food, of a total 18,000 tons delivered.
 
These figures are among the preliminary findings of the Village Tract Assessment (VTA), part of the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment, conducted by some 250 team members from ASEAN, with support from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Government of Myanmar, and the UN and its IASC partners.
 
Among other notable findings, 45 per cent of affected households receive their food from humanitarian assistance, while 56 per cent receive food from the markets; 60 per cent of households report inadequate access to clean water; and three out of five villages have insufficient seeds for the next planting season – indicating a need for continued relief efforts, alongside early recovery efforts.
 
These calculations are based on preliminary findings of the VTA; presentation of these findings is available at the Humanitarian Information Centre for Myanmar. A final report is scheduled for release on 21 July at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Singapore.

[Read more:  OCHA Situation Reports  -  Flash Appeal  -  ReliefWeb  -  IRIN  -  Maps  -  CERF  - Donate Now]

 Print   

   
 Print