Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

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    • Please find below some comments regarding the V0 draft.

      I am also available for contribution in case this input regarding integrated hazard and disaster risk is taken into consideration.

      With kind regards,

      Urbano Fra

      1. Identification and conservation of agrobiodiversity allows for increasing food security since these are species adapted to local environments, and is closely associated to CEEI 4, as they may better respond to changes in environmental conditions.

      2. Urban planning should be taken into consideration to support Urban and peri-urban food systems since current regulation in cities and market value of land limit opportunities for cultivation and food production. A change in regulation of urban development and market is required to avoid land use conflict and competition.

      3. Disaster risk is not being taken comprehensively and as a whole into consideration as a critical, emerging and enduring issue. Two disaster-related CEEI (3. Conflicts and the fragility of food systems; 7. Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases challenging FSN) have been included. 

      However, with the adopted approach it does not fully reflect the complexity of disaster, including the cascading effects, the vulnerability of farmers, crops and livestock, and the continuity of production-supply. After disaster there is a loss of livelihoods, and source of income in the case of cash crops, that drives communities into increased poverty, rural flight, or displacement. Additionally, displaced communities who migrate to cities also lose their farming culture, that is not transmitted to younger generations, and acculturation takes place.

      This also applies to coastal communities, who are dependent on fishing, shellfishing, or are gatherers of various marine resources. Coastal communities suffer the double impact of coastal and land hazards, increasing their vulnerability as well as disaster loss and damage. 

      Two recent publications by UNDRR/ISC have identified the most critical hazards, classified and described them.

      The UNDRR/ISC Sendai Hazard Definition and Classification Review Technical Report (2020),  and Hazard Information Profiles: Supplement to UNDRR-ISC Hazard Definition & Classification Review (2021)

      This classification also raises the significance –among others- of biological hazards, one of the eight classes, since there is a high number of pests and animal diseases that represent a hazard for farmers and rangers and their livelihoods, a challenge for farming practices and management.

      In sum, the approach adopted in the report regarding critical, emerging and enduring issue matches the issue of hazard, as a trigger of disasters, with great significance for rural communities. This raises the question of having a specific issues relating to Recognizing the role natural hazards and disaster.