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Concentrating on vulnerable populations
The right to food commits States to initiatives to facilitate economic and physical access to adequate food. States have an obligation to provide food or the means to access food to individuals who are unable, for reasons beyond their control, to provide for themselves and their families. Marginalized and vulnerable populations, who cannot provide for themselves, therefore, require special attention. The following guidelines advise on supporting such populations.
Safety nets; vulnerable groups; education; international food aid; access to resources
photo Directive 6 Stakeholders
    Guideline 6 encourages a multistakeholder approach to food security, with the full participation of civil society and the private sector.
Directive 8 Access to resources and assets
   Guideline 8 informs States how to apply the obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the right to adequate food (obligations assumed by States Parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights). States should ensure sustainable and non-discriminatory access to natural resources, if need be through land reform. This guideline makes recommendations on labour, land, water, genetic resources, sustainability and services.
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photo Directive 10 Nutrition
    Guideline 10 promotes the strengthening of dietary diversity, the prevention of malnutrition and the respect of cultural values and eating habits when making policy and programme decisions.
Directive 11 Education and awarness raising
   Guideline 11 calls for the strengthening of education and training opportunities, especially for girls and women, to support sustainable development, and the integration of human rights in school curricula. In addition, officials and members of civil society should be trained to participate in the progressive realization of the right to food.
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photo Directive 13 Support for vulnerable groups
    Guideline 13 covers support for vulnerable groups. Victims of food insecurity need to be identified and measures devised to provide immediate and progressive access to adequate food. This guideline also encourages action against the discrimination of specific groups and a more effective targeting of assistance.
Directive 14 Safety nets
    Guideline 14 recommends that safety nets be put in place to protect the weakest segments of society. Such safety nets should be accompanied by complementary measures, including access to clean water, sanitation, health care and nutritional education to promote sustainable food security in the long term.
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photo Directive 15 International food aid
    Guideline 15 stresses the importance of ensuring international food aid without risk. To the extent possible, aid should respect eating and cultural habits. It should not disrupt local food production and should avoid creating dependency by having a clear exit strategy. Humanitarian agencies should have safe access to needy populations, and emergency food aid should take long-term relief and rehabilitation objectives into consideration.
Directive 16 Natural and human-made disasters
   Guideline 16 explains how to provide a more timely and effective response to natural disasters, and recalls the importance of respecting the right to food in conflict situations.
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