Near East and North Africa

Poverty and food insecurity in the Near East and North Africa are rising due to political instability, climate change, conflicts, displacement, and economic crises from COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. The region needs coherent, evidence-based social protection policies and programs for all, focusing on vulnerable groups like women, youth, and persons with disabilities within agrifood systems. Although social protection has expanded over the last decade, coverage remains below 40 percent of the population.

FAO's work in the region focuses on generating socioeconomic data on vulnerable groups within agrifood systems. The Organization facilitates national social dialogues with rural non-state actors and strengthens governments' capacities to expand the coverage, adequacy, and comprehensiveness of social protection systems. This is crucial in addressing lifecycle events and covariate shocks that affect rural populations, especially agricultural workers.