Food security as a basis for peace: FAO in the 2020 Africa Dialogue

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) participated in the 2020 Africa Dialogue Series, which took place from 20 to 22 May under the theme “COVID-19 and Silencing the Guns in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities”.

Dr. Chimimba David Phiri, FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa, and Representative to the African Union and to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, called for building sustainable peace and resilience in African countries by prioritizing food security and investing in agriculture. “The close connection between conflict and hunger was unanimously recognized by the Security Council,” noted Phiri, before going on to say that hunger can be reduced if support is provided for rural economies to flourish.

In Africa, COVID-19 has made what was an already difficult humanitarian situation, more complex. Over the last few months, swarms of desert locusts have been destroying crops in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. In the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, hundreds of people are being displaced because of insecurity, and Lake Victoria is rising faster than ever, presenting the risk of floods. “130 million people are one shock away from an acute hunger crisis situation, and COVID-19 can push them over the brink,” said Phiri. “We cannot allow that to happen”.

The Africa Dialogue Series occurs annually on the eve of Africa Day (25 May). For the first time, this year it was conducted virtually in adherence to social distancing measures for the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 Africa Dialogue Series was hosted by the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, in collaboration with the African Union, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the United Nations Department of Peace Operations, the United Nations Department of Global Communications, and UN Women.

Dr Phiri’s statement is available here.