FOOD

SECURITY 
Introduction 
One of the most important
components of health is
consuming healthy food . In
order to determine the level
of health awareness of a
particular community, we
must look at the health
habits adopted by the
community, especially the
quality of food.
Definition of Food Security and
Insecurity 
Food security is when a person is able to
obtain a sufficient amount of healthy food on a
day-to-day basis. People who do not consume
enough food each day suffer from food
insecurity, which is when a person is unable to
obtain a sufficient amount of healthy food on a
day-to-day basis. As a result of food insecurity,
people suffer from chronic hunger and poor
nutrition, and are, therefore, less likely to have
healthy and productive lives.
 Main Elements of Food Insecurity 
• The concept of food security can be broken down into four main elements, well known
to experts as 'four pillars of food security' .
1. Availability : as the name indicates, it simply refers to the availability of
sufficient food quantities on a consistent basis. This is related to the efficacy of food
production. Yet the issue occurs when there is a lack of necessary resources such as
water used for irrigation , or when land is damaged or degraded. 
2. Access : simply having enough food in a community means very little if there is poor
access to it. Access is ensured when individuals and households have adequate
resources to obtain appropriate food. Access to food is affected by a myriad of
physical, social and policy related factors. Factors such as pricing, household
proximity to suppliers and infrastructure all affect our access to food.
3.     Utilisation : as mentioned before , it is crucial that the food being accessed is
of a good quality. Food must be healthy and nutritious enough to provide the
energy people need. It is important that individuals have the necessary
knowledge and tools to properly ‘utilise’ the food available to them. This includes
having the utilities to properly select, prepare, and store foods that are available
and accessible. 
4.      Stability: availability ,access and utilisation must remain stable over time .
Minimizing threats to this stability must be observed carefully .These threats
include natural disasters, climate change, conflict and economic factors such as
volatile price fluctuations.
 What Causes Food Insecurity 
• As a first step toward mitigating the damage food insecurity can cause, it is important to understand why some people are food
insecure and the effects it can have on them and their families. ​
• The list of causes of food insecurity is long and multifaceted: they range from political instability, war , poverty, population
growth ,inadequate education, and poor health. All, however, can be related in some fashion to two basic causes: insufficient national
food availability and insufficient access to food by households and individuals ​
• 1-Conflict:The single largest factor causing global hunger and food insecurity is conflict. The majority of people living in countries
where there is conflict are food insecure. Conflict forces people to flee their homes, often leaving behind everything they need for
survival. In addition to dividing communities, conflict can lead farmers to abandon any long-term agricultural strategies for fear
that they will not reap the rewards if they are forced to flee. ​
• 2-Climate change: It has a significant impact on food security in a variety of ways. It affects the crops, fisheries, and aquaculture.
Between 2015 and 2018, the number of hungry people worldwide increased by over 40 million people, with the highest increase
occurring in drought-stricken countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. In some areas, natural catastrophes have become more frequent and
severe, destroying crop yields and limiting consumption of food. ​
• 3-Population Growth: According to the United Nations, the world population will reach about 10 billion by 2050. As the world's
population grows, so must food production and food accessibility. Unfortunately, we have observed in nations with population booms
that resources essential for food production (water supplies, croplands) may become scarce when split, resulting in food insecurity.
 Importance of Maintaining
Food Security 
• Food is a fundamental human right. And yet one in nine people around the world (805 million) go hungry every
day, this is exactly why food security is of great importance and why we need to know what happens in absence of
food security .
• Malnutrition-  is the condition that develops when the body is deprived of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it
needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. It can be a devastating reality for those who are food
insecure as malnutrition can make it near impossible for the individuals who are suffering to improve their
situation or even to maintain their livelihoods.  
• Stunting- as seen in many countries. When a child does not receive the proper nutrition ,especially in his first years
, he will likely suffer stunting, affecting their body appearance and well-being in general. This issue arises and is
very common in countries suffering from food insecurity and poverty.
• Mental Health Issues- a recent study on food insecurity in Ethiopia found that those facing food insecurity were
more likely to suffer from both depression and anxiety. 
• The combined effects on mental and physical health paint a devastating picture of the quality of life for those who
are food insecure, proving that maintaining food security is very important. 
  Examples on Nations Suffering from
Food Insecurity 
1-Yemen
•  More than 16 million people – over half of the population –
waking up hungry every day
2-South Sudan
•  Record-high levels of hunger across South Sudan are a result of a
deadly combination of a years long civil war and erratic weather.
 3-Syria 
• A decade of war has pushed more than 12.4 million Syrians to
high levels of hunger. 
4-Nigeria 
• 13 million Nigerians are facing hunger including 4.4 million in
the three Northeastern states ( Borno , Adamawa and Yobe).
 What to do to Maintain Food Security 
• Building climate change resilience :We can fight climate change by assisting farmers in
developing more sustainable and resilient agricultural methods. Diversifying crop output,
enhancing irrigation, and encouraging sustainability can assist to mitigate the effects of climatic
catastrophes while increasing total food supply. ​
• Address inequalities of hunger: In food-insecure regions, it is common for women to experience
gender-based violence as a direct or indirect consequence of conflict. By addressing this
discrimination both in food and educational programs, we can create a world where women and
girls are more secure and safe.​
•  Conflict-sensitive relief: Creating conflict-sensitive approaches and ensuring that program do
not further exacerbate conflict are effective ways of preventing food insecurity . This requires a
deep understanding of conflict dynamics at national and local levels, how they interact and
shape one another, and how they can change.​
  The Role of Governments and Organizations
Concerning Food Security
• It is a government responsibility to provide clear information on foods and nutrition. Rational government
involvement can lead to better nutrition for the population whilst stimulating an efficient agricultural industry.
• A great example of this can be seen in Kenya. Concern are working in partnership with the Kenyan
government ,through this approach, seasonal spikes in malnutrition are anticipated so that relief can be provided
quickly and effectively where needed. This pro-active approach leads to the improvement of food security for those
most vulnerable.
• The RAIN program is making lasting improvements to food security in Tahoua Region of Niger, West Africa.
Currently in the final year of the four-year program, the work being done in Niger builds on the success that Concern
and Kerry Group had achieved with the same program in Zambia.
• Now how can they increase food security?
1. Training small farmers and foreign officials on plant and animal health systems, risk analysis, and avoiding
postharvest loss.
2.  Completing assessments on climate change.
3.  Increasing agricultural productivity.