Food Security Crisis in the Arab Region

In December 2024, a report revealed alarming food security issues in the Arab region. The United Nations published the 2024 Near East and North Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition. It brought into light that 2.8 billion people globally could not afford a healthy diet. Among them, 151.3 million reside in the Arab states. This figure represents 5.4 per cent of the global population and nearly one-third of the region’s inhabitants.

Current Food Insecurity Statistics

The report indicated rise in hunger. In 2023, 66.1 million people, or 14 per cent of the Arab population, faced hunger. Moderate or severe food insecurity affected 39.4 per cent, equating to 186.5 million individuals. Severe food insecurity impacted 72.7 million people, representing 15.4 per cent of the population. The region experiences a triple burden of malnutrition, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity.

Drivers of Food Insecurity

Conflict remains the primary driver of food insecurity in the Arab region. Economic challenges also contribute . High income disparities and severe climate impacts exacerbate the situation. Limited regional food production results from scarce fertile land and water resources, alongside climate variability and extreme weather events.

Malnutrition Trends

The prevalence of obesity in the Arab region is concerning. Rates among children under five and adults over 18 are nearly double the global average. Egypt, Qatar, and Kuwait report the highest obesity rates. Although stunting rates decreased from 28.0 per cent in 2000 to 19.9 per cent in 2022, achieving nutrition targets remains challenging. The prevalence of wasting in children exceeds the global average, particularly in low-income countries.

Need for Agrifood Systems Transformation

The report called for a transformation of agrifood systems. It emphasised addressing inequalities and ensuring healthy diets are affordable and accessible. Innovative financing mechanisms are necessary to bridge funding gaps. Recommendations include capital guarantees, results-based financing, and climate financing.

Cairo Declaration on Agrifood Systems

During the report launch, the UN agencies issued the Cairo Declaration. This declaration aims to deepen collaboration among various stakeholders. It includes international and regional development banks, the private sector, and national governments. The goal is to develop and deploy additional financial resources to support agrifood systems transformation in the region.

Future Goals and Commitments

The report’s findings aim to create efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. The collaborative effort seeks to achieve food security and improved nutrition for all in the Arab region by 2030.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Examine the impact of conflict on food security in the Arab region.
2. Discuss the role of climate change in exacerbating food insecurity in low-income countries.
3. What are the key challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to food security? Critically discuss.
4. With suitable examples, discuss the significance of innovative financing mechanisms in transforming agrifood systems.

Answer Hints:

1. Examine the impact of conflict on food security in the Arab region.

1. Conflict disrupts agricultural production, leading to decreased food availability.
2. Displacement of populations results in loss of livelihoods and increased dependency on aid.
3. Infrastructure damage hampers food distribution and access to markets.
4. Psychosocial stress from conflict affects community resilience and food security efforts.
5. Prolonged conflicts lead to economic instability, exacerbating food prices and access issues.

2. Discuss the role of climate change in exacerbating food insecurity in low-income countries.

1. Climate change causes extreme weather events, affecting crop yields and food production.
2. Scarcity of water resources impacts irrigation and agricultural sustainability.
3. Increased pests and diseases threaten food crops and livestock health.
4. Vulnerable populations in low-income countries lack adaptive capacity to climate impacts.
5. Economic losses from climate-related disasters lead to food price volatility and insecurity.

3. What are the key challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to food security? Critically discuss.

1. Ongoing conflicts hinder progress towards achieving food security targets.
2. Economic disparities limit access to resources necessary for sustainable agriculture.
3. Climate change poses risks to food production and distribution systems.
4. Inadequate infrastructure affects food storage, transportation, and market access.
5. Lack of political will and collaboration among stakeholders impedes effective policy implementation.

4. With suitable examples, discuss the significance of innovative financing mechanisms in transforming agrifood systems.

1. Capital guarantees can attract private investment in agriculture, enhancing production capacity.
2. Results-based financing incentivizes improved agricultural practices and sustainability.
3. Climate financing supports adaptation strategies, helping farmers cope with climate impacts.
4. Debt swaps can redirect funds towards food security initiatives, benefiting vulnerable populations.
5. Innovation incubators encourage new technologies in agriculture, improving efficiency and output.