World Food Day 2023 in Liberia: Joint Note by FAO, IFAD and WFP

This year’s World Food Day theme: “Water is Life, Water is Food. - Leave no one behind. “

27/10/2023

16 October 2023,
Monrovia

The global ceremony marking this year’s World Food Day 2023 took place in Rome, Italy, on 16 October 2023, against a backdrop of increasing world hunger and conflicts. In particular, participants stressed the critical role of water in underpinning our food security and how we can better manage and not take for granted this precious and finite resource.

Opening of the World Food Day 2023 Ceremony

QU Dongyu the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), said this year’s World Food Day theme: “Water is Life, Water is Food. - Leave no one behind, “makes the vital connection between water and food - without water there is no food and there is no food security without water security.”

However, rapid population growth, urbanization, industrialization, economic development and the climate crisis have all taken a toll on our world water resources, while increasing floods and droughts are further impacting agrifood systems – jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions of farmers, Qu noted.

“But the good news is that we can produce more and better, with less. We can reduce water use, by using water wisely, and by recycling. And we can reduce agriculture’s water footprint by adopting a holistic and integrated approach to water management.” the FAO Director-General said.

Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said: “The nexus of water, food, energy, and climate change is fundamental to improving the resilience of our food systems. Let’s continue working together, recognizing that our pursuit of water-resilient, food-secure, and inclusive and prosperous societies is the cornerstone of our missions”.

Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), said: “As droughts degrade agricultural lands and water scarcity stokes instability, climate change is plunging more people into hunger and despair. We must work together, innovating and collaborating, to bring hope and resilience to vulnerable communities around the world.”

United to support Liberia’s Food Security and Sustainable Development

FAO, IFAD and WFP as Rome Based Agencies work together to support the government and the people of Liberia to address the country’s pressing food security challenge and to enhance sustainable agrifood systems transformation under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2020-2024 in Liberia, which is in line with the priorities of the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).

As of 2022, Liberia grapples with the stark reality that approximately two million of its people endure undernourishment, with an overall prevalence of undernourishment in the country standing at a troubling 38.4% (FAO, 2022). This percentage represents a disheartening increase of 5% points from the situation in the 2004-2006 period and shows the country is not on track to achieve the SDG2. Moreover, a staggering 81% of the Liberian population contends with moderate or severe food insecurity, and a staggering 93% of the population is unable to afford a nutritious diet.

At the occasion of World Food Day in 2023, Bintia Stephen Tchicaya, FAO Representative ad Interim in Liberia, emphasized the significance of Liberia's abundant agricultural and water resources: "Liberia's abundant agricultural and water potential holds the key to our food security. Let us harness these resources and create resilient agrifood systems that can withstand challenges, nourishing ourselves and our planet."

Aliou Diongue, WFP's Representative in Liberia reminded everyone that food access and availability remains a challenge in the country. We need to produce more nutritious food and other essential commodities with less water. WFP remains committed to supporting the Government achieve this objective.

As we strive to reach zero hunger by 2030, communities must be supported to build their resilience and become self-sufficient. Climate action, cash-based transfers, gender, nutrition, school-based programmes, social protection, innovation, resilience and food systems are the main focus areas for WFP's Changing Lives agenda.

Pascaline Barankeba, IFAD Country Director for Liberia and Sierra Leone, recognized that water, in all its forms, has significant repercussions on rural activities and livelihoods. She recounted that Liberia’s natural endowment of land and water resources are suitable to support the achievement of food and nutrition security; what is increasingly needed is the right investments to boost agricultural productivity and make the best use of the abundant natural resources of the country. She reiterated IFAD’s commitment to remain a reliable partner to Liberia and emphasized that all stakeholders in the agriculture sector must continue to support the Government and all people of Liberia , leaving no one behind.

This year’s World Food Day was also an opportunity to thank and champion food heroes who are taking water actions to make our agrifood systems sustainable and inclusive, including Ms Majongbeh S. Kamara, who leads the Gbegbedu Rural Women Group and started the integrated fish-vegetable production Gbegbedu community in Lofa County.

FAO, IFAD and WFP continue to work closely with the government of Liberia and the communities, and stay committed not only to addressing immediate hunger but also building a foundation for sustainable agrifood systems that will ensure a brighter and more nourished future for the people of Liberia.

Full text of the FAO Director-General’s Opening Statement is available from the below link.

Food Hero Story from Liberia: https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/food-heroes/detail/majongbeh-s.-kamara/en

FAO Director-General’s Opening Statement: https://www.fao.org/director-general/speeches/details/WORLD-FOOD-DAY-2023-CEREMONY---Opening-Statement/en

IFAD President’s statement: https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/world-food-day-2023-statement