A.2: Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Groups

Access of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups to sufficient, safe and nutritionally adequate food

Other Information:

While poverty eradication should theoretically result in food security for all, there are compelling reasons for focusing directly and immediately on addressing undernourishment and malnutrition. Inadequate dietary intake that persists over time poses a serious threat to health, prevents normal growth and development in children, reduces mental capacity and lowers productivity of able-bodied adults, thereby contributing significantly to the conditions that prevent individuals from moving out of poverty. Meeting the World Food Summit target implies that countries will need to adopt special measures aimed directly at achieving and sustaining nutritional improvements among the poor and socially disadvantaged. Failure to do so will result in large segments of their populations passing their entire lives underfed and malnourished and unable either to contribute to, or benefit fully from, the development process. The challenge for countries affected by widespread undernourishment, and for FAO in its efforts to assist them, is to address this need in an era of diminished state intervention and to obtain, allocate and administer resources for "safety nets" and related programmes that ensure access to sufficient, safe and nutritionally adequate food in both urban and rural areas. In this regard, progress made in further developing a rights-based approach to food security would be taken into full account. There is an immediate need to identify more clearly who the food-insecure are, where they are located and why they are food-insecure. On the basis of this information, action programmes can be targeted much more effectively. Strategy components The components include: promoting the incorporation of nutrition objectives and considerations into national and sectoral policies and plans; assisting in establishing national food insecurity and vulnerability information and mapping systems that facilitate the design and implementation of well-targeted programmes to relieve chronic and transitory food insecurity; carrying out conceptual and methodological work on social safety net policies and programmes, so as to ensure that they are conducive to fulfilling the minimum nutritional requirements of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups; promoting direct action to improve household food security and nutrition, including through community and food-based approaches that foster people's participation and the use of traditional or underutilized foods that add nutritional value to the diet; and supporting programmes to improve the quality of, and maximize the nutritional benefits derived from, available food supplies, through proper handling (for hygiene and safety), preservation and preparation within households and communities, and in the informal commercial sector (street foods). Comparative advantages and partnerships FAO possesses a critical mass of expertise in the areas of national nutrition policy and planning, nutrition assessment, and programme development focused on the needs of vulnerable and food-insecure groups and on the improvement of food quality and safety at the household, community and municipal levels. Furthermore, FAO is well situated to develop and adapt social safety net concepts and methods, making use of a multidisciplinary approach that combines social and economic as well as technical and legal expertise. Drawing on information systems maintained by various units, the Organization also has a strong capacity in measuring, monitoring and assessing food insecurity and vulnerability at the global, regional and country levels. Complementing its work in policy advice and information systems, FAO has a long experience in promoting food-based improvements to nutrition at the household and community levels. The Inter-Agency Working Group on Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping Systems (FIVIMS) brings together the UN organizations, bilateral agencies and international NGOs most concerned with the various aspects of the issues that FIVIMS addresses. The ACC Subcommittee on Nutrition, in which FAO participates, provides the natural framework for the establishment of a constructive set of collaborative relationships, in particular for promoting follow-up to the International Conference on Nutrition. Collaborative arrangements exist with IFAD, on rural poverty eradication, and with WFP, on food assistance programmes, that complement longer-term development efforts. The potential exists within this strategy for further strengthening of the cooperation and joint work between the Rome-based food organizations. Considering that undernourishment is often also the result of disease, continued partnerships with WHO and UNICEF are crucial. Efforts will be made to encourage other UN agencies as well as international financing institutions (IFIs), academic and research institutions, parliamentary associations, NGOs and committed elements of the private sector to join in specific targeted programmes.

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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