United Nations World Food Programme Research Articles

Unique data, different values: Explaining variation in the use of biometrics by international humanitarian organizations

AbstractHumanitarian organizations are increasingly using biometric technology. Although the existing literature comprehensively covers this issue, it overlooks the considerable divergence in approaches and policies. In fact, there are significant differences in how biometric data are collected, stored, processed, shared, and protected. Drawing on an analysis of relevant news items, documents, and 17 semi‐structured interviews with humanitarian practitioners, this paper explains the variational biometric practices of humanitarian organizations. The case studies are the UN Refugee Agency, the United Nations World Food Programme, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, and World Vision International. Contributing to the scholarly debates about, first, the use of technology in humanitarian response and, second, the complex interdependence and power relations between major donors, States, and international organizations, this paper argues that combinations of three broad factors – organizational culture, mandates and scope of action, and institutional structure significantly shape how each organization understands and practices biometrics. Humanitarian organizations have different interests, motivations, ideologies, statuses, structures, and areas of expertise, and they respond differently to the demands of the States and other influential actors, thus having different applications of biometric data.

LANDSCAPE IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF SDG2 DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS USING REMOTE SENSING AND UNSUPERVISED CONTROL SITE SELECTION

Abstract. As part of its objective to achieve Zero Hunger under SDG2 the United Nations World Food Programme, in partnership with Governments, NGOs and other UN agencies, supports food insecure communities to increase natural resource availability and improve their management. This is done mostly through the building and rehabilitation of soil and water conservation assets (e.g., small dams, weirs, landscape restoration) and structures that increase productivity (e.g., vegetable gardens, irrigation canals). To adequately monitor these activities around the globe simultaneously, remote sensing was found to be an adequate tool. This study introduces the use of high-resolution satellite imagery, and more specifically NDVI derived from the Landsat series to verify and quantify the impact of such development projects. In total 121 projects in 10 countries and six different climate zones were analyzed using a pre- and post-implementation comparison and a Before-After Control Impact (BACI) study considering randomly selected control sites. Both approaches were found to show robust results throughout the different countries, project types and climate zones. 67% of all projects showed significant improvements in vegetation conditions during the wet seasons only three years after the implementation. Using the proposed workflow based on Python scripting and cloud computing of satellite data, fast and robust analyses can be achieved, while assuring constant data quality.

'I know you like the back of my hand': biometric practices of humanitarian organisations in international aid.

Humanitarian organisations are increasingly utilising biometric data. However, we know little about the extent and scope of this practice, as its benefits and risks have attracted all the attention so far. This paper explores the biometric practices of the United Nations Refugee Agency, the United Nations World Food Programme, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, and World Vision International. The study analysed relevant documents published over the past two decades and 17 semi-structured interviews with humanitarian workers conducted between June 2021 and June 2022. The findings reveal that humanitarian organisations use diverse types and functions of biometric data for different services, collaborate with many actors, and employ various data protection measures. Ultimately, challenging the straightforward generalisations about the use of such data, the paper argues that variational applications of biometrics in the humanitarian context require case-by-case analysis, as each instance will likely produce a different outcome.

Mitigating and preventing food insecurity: a scoping review of the current EU policies

Abstract Background Food insecurity (FI) is a major public health concern, due to its association with a variety of adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study is to provide a picture of the EU policy response and adherence to the international recommendations in terms of FI mitigation and prevention. Methods A scoping review was carried out based on PRISMA Extension for scoping reviews method. By using specific queries/keywords, Pubmed and Scopus were searched and also institutional databases: EUR-Lex, WHO Global Database on the Implementation of Nutrition. The search was supplemented by a review of a list of organizations’ official websites, including Cordis, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and World Food Programme. Results The search on PubMed and Scopus produced a list of 8 articles, 3 concerning agriculture policies in EU, 4 related to intervention on the school lunch and 1 focused on the introduction of a tax on unhealthy drinks. Based on the search on EUR-Lex and WHO Global Database on the Implementation of Nutrition, 4 EU-wide statutory policies were collected covering school meals, food loss reduction, food waste prevention and food crisis and humanitarian aid operations. The institutional website's review returned 18 documents in the form of ‘soft law’ measures, including action plans, action tools and projects. Conclusions Preliminary findings suggest that currently, at EU level, a coherent specific policy framework on FI is lacking. The policy fragmentation is mainly due to the multidimensional nature of FI, which has interconnections with multiple and different areas of food system-food availability, food accessibility, food safety and food quality and healthiness. The outputs also show that to date EU has failed to adhere to the international recommendations (above all, WHO recommendations) on FI mitigation and prevention. This has significant implications in terms of public health. Key messages • Policies design and implementation have the potential to create living environments conducive to good health and to lead to concrete health gains. • Health gains resulting from strategies and policies implementation against FI reduce healthcare costs associated with the treatment of the FI-related diseases.

"Fill the World with Love": Songs with Prosocial Lyrics Enhance Online Charitable Donations among Chinese Adults.

Research has shown that songs with prosocial lyrics can enhance individual prosociality. Building on the general learning model (GLM), this study demonstrated, through real-world charitable organizations, how songs with prosocial lyrics influence helping behavior that uses time as a currency. In Study 1, participants were randomly assigned to conditions of prosocial songs, prosocial lyrics, or neutral songs, and they were instructed to complete an online charity task. The results indicated that compared to the neutral songs, participants listening to prosocial songs and lyrics spent more time donating rice to the United Nations World Food Programme. This effect was replicated in Study 2, employing different media exposure from Study 1 (i.e., listening to background music). Furthermore, investigations into the underlying mechanisms revealed that this effect was mediated by interpersonal empathy. In summary, current findings suggest that songs with prosocial lyrics increase interpersonal empathy, subsequently influencing people's online charitable donation behaviors in daily life.

The effect of brief digital mindfulness-based interventions on increasing online charitable behavior in Chinese adolescents.

Digital mindfulness-based interventions (d-MBIs) have garnered significant research interest in recent years due to their psychological benefits. However, little is known about their impact on prosocial behaviors. This study investigates how d-MBIs impact prosocial behaviors where time spent is money, with Chinese adolescents as the subjects, through an online charity task (www.freerice.com). 119 students from a high school in China, who were inexperienced with mindfulness meditation, participated in this randomized controlled trial. The d-MBI group (N = 39) received online MBI guidance, while the face-to-face mindfulness-based intervention (f-MBI, N = 43) group underwent mindfulness intervention under personal tutors. The active control group (N = 37) completed a crossword task. Data analysis first involved repeated measures variance analysis, including pre-and post-intervention assessments. Subsequently, a two-way variance analysis was performed, with gender (female and male) and group (d-MBI, f-MBI, active control) as independent variables and the number of grains as dependent variables for the three groups of participants. Results showed that d-MBIs effectively improved empathy and compassion in Chinese adolescents, leading to increased rice donations to the United Nations World Food Program. These results underscore the positive effect of d-MBIs on prosociality and suggest their applicability in beneficial real-world situations involving prosocial behaviors, extending beyond previous research primarily conducted in artificial and hypothetical scenarios.

Childhood socioeconomic status and adulthood dietary diversity among Indonesian adults.

Food insecurity problems still exist among people in low-to-middle income countries. The long-term disadvantages of socioeconomic status may contribute to chronic food insecurity. However, whether childhood socioeconomic status factors are related to food insecurity in adulthood remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to test the association between childhood socioeconomic status factors and one of the proxies for adulthood food security, dietary diversity. This study used the 2014 RAND Indonesia Family Life Survey dataset with 22,559 adult participants as study samples. The childhood socioeconomic status factors consisted of 16 questions about the participants’ conditions when they were 12 years old. Adult dietary diversity was assessed using the United Nations World Food Programme’s food consumption score. A linear regression model was used to analyze the association between variables. This study found that the number of owned books (β coef.: 3.713–7.846, p < 0.001), the use of safe drinking-water sources (β coef.: 0.707–5.447, p < 0.001–0.009) and standard toilets (β coef.: 1.263–4.955, p < 0.001–0.002), parents with the habit of alcohol consumption (β coef.: 2.983, p = 0.044) or the combination with smoking habits (β coef.: 1.878, p < 0.001), self-employed with the permanent worker (β coef.: 2.904, p = 0.001), still married biological parents (β coef.: 1.379, p < 0.001), the number of rooms (β coef.: 0.968, p < 0.001), people (β coef.: 0.231, p < 0.001), and younger siblings (β coef.: 0.209–0.368, p < 0.001–0.039) in the same house were positively and significantly associated with the outcome variable. Furthermore, in the order of childhood socioeconomic status factors, self-employment without permanent workers and casual work types (β coef.: –9.661 to –2.094, p < 0.001–0.001), houses with electricity facilities (β coef.: –4.007, p < 0.001), and parents with smoking habits (β coef.: –0.578, p = 0.006) were negatively and significantly associated with the food security proxy. In conclusion, childhood and early socioeconomic disadvantage is related to adult food security status and may lead to poor health.

The double‐edged sword of boundary‐spanning Corporate Social Responsibility programs

AbstractResearch SummaryThis paper builds theoretical arguments and shows empirical evidence of the direct benefits and indirect costs of corporate volunteering in developing countries. Spanning corporate and humanitarian sectors to work in challenging environments should activate motivational and learning benefits for participating employees. However, results from a field study of a 10‐year partnership between logistics provider TNT and the United Nations World Food Program show that such boundary‐spanning corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be a double‐edged sword. Task interdependence with nonprofit peers while volunteering strengthens employees' partnership identification and institutional learning. However, institutional learning triggers identity strain (associated with attrition) when they return, unless firms foster a sense that they recognize CSR experiences as valuable. The findings inform the behavioral and micro‐foundations of the potential consequences of CSR.Managerial SummaryFirms expect to benefit from corporate volunteering programs in developing countries through employee motivation and new skill acquisition. This paper shows that task interdependence with nonprofit peers during such programs can strengthen employees' identification with a corporate‐nonprofit partnership and generate valuable institutional learning about operating in challenging environments. However, institutional learning can also trigger unanticipated costs in the form of identity strain (and, ultimately, attrition) when employees return, unless they feel their CSR experience is valued. Thus, firms should foster task interdependence during corporate volunteer assignments and CSR recognition to validate institutional learning when employees return.

Folic acid supplementation and malaria susceptibility and severity among people taking antifolate antimalarial drugs in endemic areas.

Folic acid supplementation and malaria susceptibility and severity among people taking antifolate antimalarial drugs in endemic areas.

UN World Food Programme: Toward Zero Hunger with Analytics

Each year, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) provides food assistance to around 100 million people in more than 80 countries. Significant investments over the last decade have put planning and optimization at the forefront of tackling emergencies at WFP. A data-driven approach to managing operations has gradually become the norm and has culminated in the creation of a supply chain planning unit and savings of more than USD 150 million—enough to support two million food-insecure people for an entire year. In this paper, we describe three analytical solutions in detail: the Supply Chain Management Dashboard, which uses descriptive and predictive analytics to bring end-to-end visibility and anticipate operational issues; Optimus, which uses a mixed-integer programming model to simultaneously optimize food basket composition and supply chain planning; and DOTS, which is a data integration platform that helps WFP automate and synchronize complex data flows. Three impact studies for Iraq, South Sudan, and COVID-19 show how these tools have changed the way WFP manages its most complex operations. Through analytics, decision makers are now equipped with the insights they need to manage their operations in the best way, thereby saving and changing the lives of millions and bringing the world one step closer to zero hunger.

The constraints in the field of institutional translation in Turkey

Abstract This paper aims to examine the constraints in the institutional field within the framework of the sociology of translation. In the paper, the term “constraint” refers to the problems that cannot be solved due to many factors and negatively affect the translation process, translators, and therefore translation product. The paper will reveal all the constraints with an analysis of the position of the field within the field of power, the structure of the field, and the habitus of agents (here exclusively referring to translators), based on Pierre Bourdieu’s model of field analysis. The study draws on the case studies of four institutions to analyze all the dynamics of the institutional field and their impact on the translation process and translation product. The institutions are the European Union Translation Coordination Presidency (EUTCP) and the Prime Ministry Directorate General of Press and Information (PDGPI) as a national institution, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) as an international institution, and the Association of Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Immigrants (ASAM) as a non-governmental organization. Face-to-face interviews with these four institutions, which carry out different translation activities for different purposes, will reveal the big picture of the field. However, more empirical work is needed to generalize about the constraints of this field.

СВІТОВІ ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ ТА УКРАЇНСЬКИЙ ВИМІР АГРОЕКОНОМІЧНОЇ БЕЗПЕКИ

The article is devoted to the study of global trends in agro-economic security, determining the level of security in Ukraine. To diagnose agro-economic security, the authors applied an integral assessment and used the methodology of world ratings for the indicators of Global Food Security Index, Global Hunger Index. The information base is formed by the analytical data of the system established by the UN organizations: Food and Agriculture Support Organization, International Fund for Agricultural Development, United Nations World Food Programme. Attention is focused on the important role of Ukraine in ensuring the agro-economic security of the world and its individual territories. The factor of the COVID-19 pandemic is considered as one of the factors that affected the agro-economic security at the global and national levels in 2019-2021.

Disability Data Collection in a Complex Humanitarian Organisation: Lessons from a Realist Evaluation.

In recent years, global attention to disability inclusion in humanitarian and development contexts, notably comprising disability inclusion within the Sustainable Development Goals, has significantly increased. As a result, UN agencies and programmes are increasingly seeking to understand and increase the extent to which persons with disabilities are accounted for and included in their efforts to provide life-saving assistance. To explore the effects and effectiveness of such measurement, this paper applies a complexity-informed, realist evaluation methodology to a case study of a single measurement intervention. This intervention, ‘A9’, was the first indicator designed to measure the number of persons with disabilities assisted annually by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Realist logic of analysis combined with complexity theory was employed to generate context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOC’s) against which primary interviews and secondary data were analysed. We show that within the complexity of the WFP system, the roll-out of the A9 measurement intervention generated delayed, counter-intuitive and unanticipated effects. In turn, path dependency and emergent behaviours meant that the intervention mechanisms of yesterday were destined to become the implementation context of tomorrow. These findings challenge the current reliance on quantitative data within humanitarian-development disability inclusion efforts and contribute to our understanding of how data can best be leveraged to support inclusion in such contexts.

Millets as Nutre Cereals

Among the growing population (136.64 crs as per2019) many people experience scarcity of food and all. In the 2020 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 94th out of the 107 countries with sufficient data to calculate 2020 GHI scores. With a score of 27.2, India has a level of hunger that is serious (www.un.org/). The United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) predicts that the on-going COVID-19 pandemic will increase this number as developing countries are double-hit by disease and hunger (www.fao.org/2019-ncov/q-and-a/) Disruptions in global supply chains, economic consequences (i.e., loss of jobs and incomes), the ban on the export of agricultural commodities, and price increases are the major reasons for this crisis. Although much attention is being given to the development of vaccines, therapeutic molecules, and preventive measures to combat COVID-19, the invisible threat to the lives and livelihoods of marginal populations through hunger and malnutrition remains largely unaddressed. The focus of the 2019 Global hunger index on ‘The Challenge of Hunger and Climate Change’ underlines the impacts of changing climates on agriculture that include crop failures owing to problems such as seasonal fluctuations, increased insect and pest attacks, and broad-spectrum infection by potential pathogens (www.globalhungerindex.org/).Supplying food grains is an immediate measure to aid the affected population, whereas devising long-term plans to prevent such challenges is the need of the hour. That said, the possibility of a second and third wave of COVID-19 in the near future should not be ignored. In such a case, the UN World Food Programme predicts (UN-WFP; https://insight.wfp.org/) that death due to lack of food would outnumber deaths caused by disease infection. The importance of crop diversity and of mainstreaming underutilized crops that could serve as functional foods has been pointed out before; however, identifying the best candidates of underutilized crops and deploying crop improvement strategies to release better varieties is still in a nascent stage. Mayes et al. Other plant species, including tubers, legumes, and leafy vegetables, also fall within the criteria of underutilized species; however, emphasis is given to small millets because they are capable of reducing the overdependence on major cereals. Three major cereals, namely rice, wheat, and maize, cater for up to 60% of the global food requirements, and this is one of the plausible causes of food and nutritional inadequacies in the hunger hotspots where these crops are largely imported for consumption. Millets, although cultivated marginally in those regions, have the potential to address these inadequacies if their area of cultivation is increased and crop improvement strategies are devised and deployed.

Enhancing Behavior Change Skills in Health Extension Workers in Ethiopia: Evaluation of an Intervention to Improve Maternal and Infant Nutrition.

Maternal and infant nutrition are problematic in areas of Ethiopia. Health extension workers (HEWs) work in Ethiopia’s primary health care system, increasing potential health service coverage, particularly for women and children, providing an opportunity for health improvement. Their roles include improving maternal and infant nutrition, disease prevention, and health education. Supporting HEWs’ practice with ‘non-clinical’ skills in behavior change and health communication can improve effectiveness. This intervention study adapted and delivered a UK-developed training intervention for Health Extension Workers (HEWs) working with the United Nations World Food Programme in Ethiopia. The intervention included communication and behavioral training adapted with local contextual information. Mixed methods evaluation focused on participants’ reaction to training, knowledge, behavior change, and skills use. Overall, 98 HEWs were trained. The intervention was positively received by HEWs. Pre-post evaluations of communication and behavior change skills found a positive impact on HEW skills, knowledge, and motivation to use skills (all p < 0.001) to change women’s nutritional behavior, also demonstrated in role-play scenarios. The study offered substantial learning about intervention delivery. Appropriate cultural adaptation and careful consideration of assessment of psychological constructs are crucial for future delivery.

Platforms Enhancing the Engagement of the Private Sector in Humanitarian Relief Operations

As disasters become progressively more frequent and complex, better collaboration through partnerships with private business becomes more important. This research aimed to understand how platforms support the engagement of the private sector—especially logistics businesses—in humanitarian relief operations. The study was based on a literature review and on an investigation of an emblematic case of the cross-sector platform, recognized at a global level in logistics and supply chain management, between the United Nations World Food Programme and the Logistics Emergency Teams (WFP/LET), composed of four global leading logistics providers. The insights resulting from this paper may be of particular interest to both academics and professionals regarding the two sectors, profit and non-profit. This is because the implementation of the platform reflects the concrete benefit for people in need reached by the humanitarian relief operations. It may also constitute a useful tool for building an agile supply chain capable of being resilient in responding to sudden and unexpected changes in the context, both in humanitarian and commercial supply chains.

Role of food aid and assistance in addressing the double burden of malnutrition in Ghana: a qualitative policy analysis

Background and aimsIn many low-income and middle-income countries, the double burden of malnutrition threatens public health and economic progress, urging a re-evaluation of the roles and responsibilities of nutrition actors,...

Interactions of Dimethylarsinic Acid, Total Arsenic and Zinc Affecting Rice Crop Management and Human Health in Cambodia

Background.In parts of Cambodia and in many other parts of the world, irrigation of rice with groundwater results in arsenic (As) accumulation in soil and rice, leading to health concerns associated with rice consumption. At times, some As is present as relatively nontoxic, non-regulated, dimethylarsinic acid (DMA). Low levels of zinc (Zn) have been found in rice from Bangladesh, Cambodia, and China where As levels in rice are high. Furthermore, there have been claims that Zn deficiency is responsible for stunting the growth of children in Cambodia and elsewhere, however in rural Asia, rice is the major source of Zn. Current data are inadequate for both Zn and DMA in Cambodian rice.Objectives.The present study aimed to provide a preliminary evaluation of the relationship between the content of Zn and DMA in rice grain in Preak Russey, an area with elevated levels of As in groundwater and to improve the management of Zn deficiency in rice.Methods.Rice agriculture was evaluated along the Mekong River in Cambodia. Analyses for metals, total As, and As species in rice and water were conducted by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Analysis of total Zn and As in soils and total Zn in rice were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry.Results.Rice in Preak Russey had Zn concentrations less than a third the level recommended by the United Nations World Food Programme. There was a significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation between the Zn content of rice and DMA in rice with the lowest Zn and highest DMA levels occurring near irrigation wells, the source of As.Conclusions.The highest levels of DMA in rice were associated with Zn deficiency in rice.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests

Governing Blocks: Building Interagency Consensus to Coordinate Humanitarian Aid

The conflict in Syria has led to one of the biggest refugee crises in history. An estimated 660,000 Syrian refugees have moved to neighbouring Jordan, many of whom are highly vulnerable to monetary poverty and food shortages. To reduce the daily inequalities faced by Syrian refugees, humanitarian agencies are progressively shifting to programmes that encourage financial inclusion and self-reliance. Operating since 2016, Building Blocks, a cash-based assistance programme created by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), uses blockchain technology rather than traditional financial service providers to supply monetary assistance for food purchases by Syrian refugees in Jordan. Beneficiaries have their identities confirmed though iris scanning when purchasing goods at supermarkets within the camps. Following authentication, monetary assistance is provided to complete the transaction. This system benefits over 100,000 Syrian refugees registered on the UNHCR’s PRIMES database and WFP has plans to scale up the programme to include more beneficiaries. This technology assessment focuses on understanding the governance of blockchain technology in Building Blocks (if any), and on finding opportunities for WFP operating partner agencies consisting of UNHCR, UNICEF, UN Women, Oxfam and Mercy Corps, to coordinate with and join the programme. Scaling up Building Blocks will benefit refugees and displaced people by giving these individuals a semblance of normalcy in a situation of vulnerability and crises. We advise WFP to collaborate with its partners to form a blockchain humanitarian consortia governing Building Blocks to avoid duplicating efforts and to achieve their shared objectives of delivering humanitarian aid in a sustainable manner. Other recommendations include to have UNOCHA and UNHCR as data aggregator and coordinator, respectively, to grant joint access to PRIMES for non-UN operating partners, to coordinate efforts with UNHCR’s Common Cash Facility programme, to consider renewable energy sources and to build local technical capacity for women in refugee camps. The involvement of operating partners in governing technology used in such processes will ensure equity of aid delivery, resulting in a broader governance, thus reducing inequality.

Addressing Hunger and Starvation in Situations of Armed Conflict — Laying the Foundations for Peace

Abstract Food is a common denominator for human survival and is often the source of national pride and cultural significance. Yet, famine and starvation remain a real threat to millions of people around the world. This article sets the scene for an exploration of the relationship between food and security within conflict settings and of how the response of humanitarian actors can pave the way for improving the prospects for peace. Through examining the trends that are impacting the food security of civilians, including humanitarian access and attacks against objects indispensable to the survival of these populations and against humanitarian workers, this article considers the linkages between hunger and conflict as well as the avenues that must be pursued to prevent and end conflicts. Focus is given to the contributions of organizations like the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to address underlying root causes in an inclusive, integrated and sustainable manner. The available tools such organizations have at their disposal are also considered, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive framework that builds on existing legal foundations, international commitments, and the efforts of humanitarian, development and peace actors. The engagement of the international community in averting famine, relapse into conflict and exacerbation of conflict through food insecurity requires a multi-faceted response given the nature of famine and starvation in the world today. The article concludes with thoughts on ways of utilizing existing rules and frameworks to protect civilians from starvation in times of armed conflict.