Resuming progress towards Zero Hunger
The FIRST Programme, with a network of policy officers embedded in the relevant ministries, is supporting governments’ efforts to improve food security through sustainable agriculture in over 30 countries, in Latin America and the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan A
The Dry Corridor in Central America, known for its irregular rainfall, has become one of the most susceptible regions in the world to climate change and variability. The hunger and malnutrition-hit strip stretches from Southern Mexico down to Panama, with Honduras being one of the most affected countries.
Recently, the Central American country has created a multi-donor basket to fight food insecurity and create resilience in the area which has received around 300 million dollars from different partners like the European Union. But more money does not guarantee a bigger success.
“Investments will not be effective if we do not create the right conditions for them to have real impact”, argued Carmelo Gallardo, FAO’s representative in the Dominican Republic. Gallardo spoke during a side event organised by the FIRST Programme (an EU-FAO Partnership for policy assistance towards achieving food security and nutrition) in the Week of Food and Agriculture that took place in Buenos Aires (Argentina).
Government representatives from Colombia, Cuba and Guatemala also shared what they are doing to make investments effective in countering climate change, imports-dependence, overweight and obesity or in responding to the need of peace and stability.
“With the Dry Corridor Alliance, Honduras now has an excellent testing ground to see if its policies and coordination to achieve food security and nutrition are working”, said Jorge Quiñonez, from the Honduran Government´s Unit for Food Security and Nutrition.