Framework for Action on Food Security and Nutrition in Protracted Crises
COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY
Forty-second Session – “Making a Difference in Food Security and Nutrition”
Rome, Italy, 12-15 October 2015 :: 14 pages
Pdf: http://www.fao.org/3/a-mo194e.pdf
[Excerpts]

Objective
8. The overall objective of the Framework for Action for Food Security and Nutrition in
Protracted Crises (CFS-FFA), also referred to as the Framework, is to improve the food security and nutrition of populations affected by, or at risk of, protracted crises in a way that addresses underlying causes, thus contributing to the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security.
Purpose
9. To achieve this objective, the Framework seeks to mobilize high level political commitment
and promote coordinated multi-stakeholder processes, including the review of progress and sharing of lessons learned, to inform policies and actions aimed at preventing, mitigating, responding to and promoting early recovery from food insecurity and malnutrition in protracted crises.
10. This Framework outlines the Principles and actions that can assist stakeholders in improving
food security and nutrition in protracted crises….

II. THE PRINCIPLES FOR ACTION FOR IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN PROTRACTED CRISES
18. The Principles for action are intended to guide the development, implementation and monitoring of policies and actions to improve food security and nutrition in protracted crisis situations.
19. The interpretation and application of these Principles should be customized to the particular contexts and the specific needs of all members of affected and at risk populations and people living in vulnerable situations.
20. These Principles describe how to address critical food insecurity and undernutrition
manifestations and build resilience in protracted crises (Principles 1 and 2), in a manner that is adapted to the specific challenges of these situations (Principles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8), and that avoids exacerbating underlying causes and, where opportunities exist, contributes to resolving them (Principles 9, 10, and 11).

Address Critical Manifestations and Build Resilience
21. It is crucial in protracted crises to promote coherent and well-coordinated humanitarian and
development programming to address food insecurity and undernutrition, to save lives and to build resilience. Humanitarian assistance helps meet acute needs, in order to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain and protect human dignity. Resilience boosts the capacity to absorb, prepare for, and prevent humanitarian disasters, crises, and long-term stresses. It also contributes to the adaptation and transformation of livelihoods and food systems, progressing along a pathway out of the protracted crisis situation. This approach emphasizes women’s empowerment, as well as smallholder agriculture productivity and the wider economy, which are often neglected in responses to protracted crises. Given the severity of undernutrition in these situations, the nutritional needs of members of affected and at risk populations, vulnerable and marginalized groups, as well as people living in vulnerable situations, also benefit from a special focus.

Principle 1 – Meet immediate humanitarian needs and build resilient livelihoods
Principle 2 – Focus on nutritional needs
Principle 3 – Reach affected populations
Principle 4 – Protect those affected by or at risk from protracted crises
Principle 5 – Empower women and girls, promote gender equality and encourage gender sensitivity
Principle 6 – Ensure and support comprehensive evidence-based analyses
Principle 7 – Strengthen country ownership, participation, coordination and stakeholder buy-in, and accountability
Principle 8 – Promote effective financing
Principle 9 – Contribute to peacebuilding through food security and nutrition
Principle 10 – Manage natural resources sustainably and reduce disaster risks
Principle 11 – Promote effective national and local governance…

.

Press Release
Global accord demands new approach to hunger and nutrition in protracted crises
Framework for Action seeks coherent humanitarian and development efforts
15 October 2015, Rome – The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) has approved the world’s first global agreement involving all stakeholder groups on coordinated action to combat hunger and undernutrition among people living in protracted crises.

The Framework for Action on Food Security and Nutrition in Protracted Crises is a voluntary agreement offering guidance to address food security and nutrition needs in these challenging contexts. It also outlines how to adapt to specific challenges in areas persistently wracked by natural calamity and civil conflict.

The Framework comprises 11 principles that recognize the need for coherent and integrated humanitarian and development efforts to address both the immediate and the longer-term food security and nutrition needs of people in protracted crises.

Protracted crises result in disrupted livelihoods and food systems, higher illness and mortality rates, increased displacements, hunger and severe undernutrition.

The prevalence of undernutrition is typically three times higher in protracted crises situations than in the rest of the developing world…

…The Framework emphasizes women’s empowerment and the agricultural productivity of smallholders, noting that both are often neglected in responses to crisis situations. Over time, protracted crises reverse years of previously accumulated development gains, and undermine livelihoods, making the Sustainable Development Goal of eradicating hunger and poverty by 2030 harder to achieve.

The political consensus reached on the Framework for Action can be leveraged by FAO, the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, key CFS stakeholders already working together to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable and at risk people. Working closely with the Rome-based Agencies, implementing the Framework for Action is a priority for FAO…