Urge strong U.S. leadership in response to global food crisis
Today, the number of people facing acute food insecurity is on the rise — with roughly 155 million people experiencing acute food insecurity across 55 countries. The World Food Programme estimates that 272 million people are either at risk of becoming or are already acutely food insecure because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot afford to maintain the status quo.
Food systems are facing unprecedented challenges due to the triple threats of conflict, the climate crisis, and the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These mutually reinforcing drivers disrupt essential services and activities within food systems and put conditions at risk of rapidly deteriorating.
South Sudan is experiencing one of the worst food crises. Currently, over 60% of the population face crisis levels of food insecurity, primarily as a direct result of conflict. Children are experiencing malnutrition, with 16% suffering from stunted growth. People's capacity to generate food for themselves and their families has been hampered by rising violence and climate shocks such as severe flooding.
We need your help to address the global food security crisis by calling on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power to demonstrate strong U.S. leadership at the upcoming United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS). We believe that the Summit presents a unique opportunity to transform food systems around the world, particularly among the world’s poor, by addressing the convergence of crises and food security challenges. The Summit aims at delivering progress across all 17 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals for a stronger, healthier, more sustainable, and equitable food system. It will bring together different stakeholders, including farmers, indigenous people, youth organizations, professionals, and academics, among others to present and discuss best practices. Collaboration is essential in transforming our global food systems.
The commitments that will be made at the Summit are an opportunity to reimagine our food systems to meet the needs of crisis-affected communities. This is a critical moment for the international community to recognize the importance of peacebuilding, conflict prevention, good governance, and climate change adaptation in developing sustainable, equitable, and resilient food systems.
Please urge the U.S. government to show leadership at the United Nations Food Systems Summit and invest in strengthening global food systems for those facing rising food insecurity, calling on partner governments around the world to also do their part to end poverty and hunger. The magnitude of suffering is alarming and the need is urgent.
Here is the letter we’ll send on your behalf:
Dear Administrator Samantha Power,
I am writing to urge you to be a champion in the fight against hunger at the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit, ensuring that global action is taken to address hunger and the risk of famine. Today, the number of people facing acute food insecurity is on the rise — with roughly 155 million people experiencing acute food insecurity across 55 countries, an increase of around 20 million from 2019. The World Food Programme estimates that 272 million people are either at risk of becoming or already are acutely food insecure because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Food insecurity is being driven primarily by conflict, as highlighted by the recent Global Report on Food Crises, and fueled by the climate crises and the COVID-19 pandemic. These triple threats disrupt essential services and activities within food systems and put food security conditions at risk of rapidly deteriorating.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, is experiencing one of the worst food crises. Currently, over 60% of the population face crisis levels of food insecurity, primarily as a result of violent conflict. People’s capacity to generate food for themselves and their families has been hampered by continued violence fueled by climate shocks such as severe flooding. Extreme weather threatens people’s livelihood by destroying crops and livestock — leading them to resort to coping mechanisms such as pulling their children from school. South Sudan represents just one of many countries experiencing acute food insecurity.
This is why I am asking you to mobilize global action against food insecurity at the upcoming 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS). The Summit presents the opportunity to influence the way the world responds to food security challenges. The Summit is aimed at delivering progress across all 17 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals for a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable food system.
To achieve these objectives, I urge you to announce bold U.S. government commitments to address the key drivers of food insecurity and support more equitable, inclusive, and resilient food systems that meet the needs of crisis-affected communities. The U.S. government should announce that it will increase investments in and integration of peacebuilding and climate adaptation into food security assistance; redouble support for market systems through local business development programs; and pilot innovative food and cash assistance models that also strengthen community trust and connections and reduce the risk of further violence. I also ask that you call on other governments to step forward with similar commitments and investments.
With strong U.S. leadership, we can take action to help ensure that more lives are not lost from hunger. We must tackle food insecurity together.
Sincerely,