Global Fragility and Food Security
12 December 2019, Washington, D.C – “Fragility is one of the reasons why our progress on achieving Zero Hunger has stalled. I am pleased to see that the Global Fragility Act is bringing the much needed attention to this issue,” stated Rebecca Middleton, Executive Director of the Alliance to End Hunger, who co-hosted the Congressional Briefing with FAO at the Russell Senate Office Building.
The bipartisan bills, sponsored in the House of Representatives by Rep. Engel (D-NY-16) and Rep. McCaul (R-TX-10), and in the Senate by Sen. Coons (D-DE) and Sen. Graham (R-SC), directs the Department of State to establish the interagency Global Fragility Initiative to stabilize conflict-affected areas and prevent violence globally, and establishes funds to support such efforts.
“Ever since the Sustainable Development Goals were adopted, global hunger has increased standing at 821 million people currently. Two-thirds of the population suffering from acute food insecurity are located in fragile areas and conflict zones. Early responses are key to saving lives and livelihoods,” said Thomas Pesek, Senior Liaison Officer at FAO, in his welcoming remarks.
Asma Lateef, Director of Bread for the World Institute, moderated the session. She noted that poor governance and institutions, conflict, and climate change are drivers of fragility and hunger. “A one percent rise in temperature leads to a two percent rise in migration. Climate change is a risk multiplier across different dimensions,” said Lateef.
“The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus is not new but is getting more attention,” said Danielle Mutone-Smith, Division Director of Policy, Partnerships, Program and Communications for Food for Peace within USAID. However, she explained agencies are only now beginning to work together for better results. To this end, USAID is creating a new Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance to see how to integrate resources, programs, and thinking.
From the on-the-ground ground perspective, Olga Petryniak, Senior Director for Resilience at Mercy Corps, emphasized a few actions to ensure that every dollar is well spent. She noted the need for investments in joint crisis analytics to better understand emerging risks, understand local coping mechanisms, and adjust investments based on levels of violence and mobility.
“Violent extremist groups exploit vulnerable populations in places which are difficult to access by aid organizations. Nuru International was launched in 2008 to be able to access these places,” said Jake Harriman, Founder and CEO of Nuru International and former Platoon Commander of the U.S. Marine Corps. By combining former military operators, with front line agriculture development civilians, Nuru works to develop strong farmer organizations that support local livelihoods to remove the footholds that groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al Qaeda have over vulnerable households, explained Harriman.
“Collective responses to warnings come much too late. The majority of the funds come once a famine is declared, at which point over half of the deaths have already occurred. We need to mobilize funding and actions earlier to address worsening conditions,” stated Zacharey Carmichael, Team Leader for the Famine Action Mechanism and Operations Officer at The World Bank. He added, “We are working with FAO and WFP to help prevent crises, and avoid people losing assets and leaning on other unsustainable coping mechanisms. The Global Fragility Act emphasizes flexible financing, one aspect of importance that cannot be overemphasized.”
Learn more about the Global Fragility Act S.727 and H.R.2116.