Friday, 28th April 2017 from 12.30 to 14.30, Sheikh Zayed Centre

Joint FAO/WFP Briefing on the Food Security Situation in northeastern Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen 
Working together to save lives and livelihoods

About the event

The world is facing one of the largest food crises in decades, with 30 million people in four countries — northeastern Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen — severely food insecure, many on the brink of famine.
Famine has already been declared in parts of South Sudan, where 100 000 people are at risk, and more than 5.5 million people will not have any reliable source of food by July.

These four major food crises are largely driven by protracted conflict, exacerbated by the effects of extreme climate events. In South Sudan, for example, the famine being experienced in parts of Unity State is directly related to the effects of conflict. In Somalia, decades of conflict and instability have heightened vulnerability and undermined people’s capacity to cope with extreme climate events, like the current drought.

Conflict and drought are forcing people to abandon their homes and their lands. As agricultural seasons are repeatedly missed and livelihoods abandoned, the humanitarian caseload builds and the number of people on the brink of famine rises. With approximately 80 percent of the affected populations relying on agriculture for their livelihoods, we must invest now in pulling people back from the brink – agriculture can no longer be an afterthought.

A combination of food assistance and food production support is the only way to make any dent in the scale of hunger we are witnessing in these four countries. FAO and WFP are working very closely to ensure that emergency food assistance is linked to agricultural support as much as possible to save lives, protect livelihoods and build resilience.

Purpose

To brief members on the latest food security situation in northeastern Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, and to present the ongoing response by FAO and WFP, as well as gaps and priorities for action.

Responsible office:

TCE

Languages:

Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish

Moderator:

Dominique Burgeon

Agenda:

12.30–12.45

Opening of the session by the Director-General, FAO and by the Executive-Director, WFP

12.45–13.00

Update on the current food situation in the four countries
Joint presentation by WFP Chief Economist and FAO Senior Food Crises Analyst

13.00–13.15

Update on the common challenges to the four countries and outcomes of the joint Food Security and Nutrition Partners meeting
Joint presentation by the WFP and FAO Directors of Emergencies

13.15–13.25

Q&A

13.25–14.25

Update on the response by the two agencies and challenges faced
Joint briefing by the WFP and FAO Country Representatives, with Q&A (5 minutes for each)

  • 13.25–13.40 Northeastern Nigeria
  • 13.40–13.55 Somalia
  • 13.55–14.10 South Sudan
  • 14.10–14.25 Yemen

14.25–14.30

Closure

 

Related links:

FACING FAMINE

Twitter hashtag:

#CL156; #FacingFamine

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