Using Small-Scale Adaptation Actions to Address the Food Crisis in the Horn of Africa: Going beyond Food Aid and Cash Transfers

Richard Munang,Johnson N Nkem

doi:10.3390/su3091510

Abstract

The countries Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti are facing the worst food crisis of the 21st century as a result of devastating droughts. The crisis is causing starvation and leading to a lack of access to clean water and sanitation for over 12 million people. Not only are the direct drought effects endured now by the population, but they have weakened response capacity and created diminished prospects of ever achieving future water and food security. Over the coming decades, temperatures in this region will continue to rise and rainfall patterns will change. This will create major problems for food production and availability. Thus, building resilience in communities is indispensable as we adapt our farming systems to the challenges of climate change. This will require practical solutions that can build on processes involving adaptation to climate change. The lessons learned from the UN-led project in Uganda, demonstrate the value of small scale innovative interventions, carried out using democratic approaches to help support adaptation to climate change whilst progressing to achieve food security and chart a new Path to eliminate hunger. These lessons should be our guiding vision as we address the current droughts plaguing the Horn of East Africa and elsewhere.

Highlights

The spectre of world hunger looms ever larger as the global population fast approaches nine billion [1,2], especially in the least developed nations
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the value of small scale innovative interventions, carried out using democratic approaches in Uganda to help support adaptation to climate change whilst progressing towards achieving food security and charting a new path to eliminate hunger
Small scale solutions guided by science/research have never been more critical to achieving food security than they are today

Summary

Introduction

The spectre of world hunger looms ever larger as the global population fast approaches nine billion [1,2], especially in the least developed nations. The cost of several staple foods reached unprecedented levels making it difficult for millions of poor households to fulfil their basic food needs. This has, in many cases, led to increased public anxiety, social tension and distress. The consequences of the rise in food prices have demonstrated that the world’s food systems (Food systems refer to the chain of activities connecting food production, processing, distribution and access, consumption and waste management as well as all the associated supporting and regulatory institutions and activities) are not responding adequately to increased demand and limited supplies in ways that favor the interests of poor people. Local food systems have potential to provide livelihoods, occupation, employment and socio-cultural meaning to a very large share of the world’s active working population

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