Today we celebrate World Food Day, established in 1979 to commemorate the founding of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and to remark on the importance of an adequate distribution and sustainable food system intended to end hunger and malnutrition worldwide.
Water is Life
Water is the essential and vital element that sustains and connects all the lives on Earth, from plants to human beings, influencing since ever the way we live and relate to ecosystems. Up to 50% of our body consists of water and 70% of the planet’s surface, from oceans to lakes and rivers. But of all this large quantity of water, only 2.5% is fresh, suitable for drinking and useable for industrial and agricultural purposes – only the latter is responsible for 72% of freshwater withdrawals.
Unlike other natural resources, fresh water is not inexhaustible, thus a responsible and conscious use is necessary to preserve it. According to a recent study published by FAO, climate change, rapid population growth, and economic development are deteriorating freshwater’s quality, accelerating the global crisis, and in the past decades, water availability per person has declined by 20%. The study also shows that to date, 2.4 billion people live in countries with severe water-related issues, of which over 600 million depend on aquatic food systems for a living, which also makes them the most affected to the side-effects of climate change, water pollution, poor use, and management on water. In most cases, those also represent the most vulnerable communities – women, indigenous people, migrants, and refugees – who also, every day, struggle to have access to essential needs. Particularly, the great variety of aquatic ecosystems is the main livelihood and source of food and income for most of small coastal and inland communities worldwide, playing a potential vital role in combating malnutrition. Therefore, their protection and preservation are not just a moral responsibility, but an essential need for the wellbeing of our planet and ensuring food security for all.
The importance of food security
This year’s theme highlights how everyday choices influence the future of our planet and its inhabitants. Specifically, this day aims to emphasise the global commitment and unity against hunger and malnutrition, two pivotal elements of the worst global food crisis – the largest one in modern history.
A sustainable future for all is difficult but possible, and only by joining our forces and implementing appropriate policies, we can fight the ongoing crisis. According to this report, global population is expected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050, consequently food demand is projected to increase by over 50%, with a growth of some specific products even by 70%. While nearly 924 million people face severe food insecurity (the 11.7% of global population), almost one third of food every year goes wasted or lost, which corresponds to 1.3 billion tons of perfectly edible food, as well as 1.6 of so-called “primary product equivalents”. Of this amount, 35% is simply thrown away, by shops and households. Building a proper food distribution system and education is crucial, ensuring no longer leaving anyone behind. In addition, increasing food production also increases greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, resulting in higher pollution and global warming, with deteriorating consequences for the environment and population.
Water and migration
Behind the dramatic data provided are children, women and men suffering from a lack of essential and basic goods that many other populations take for granted. Famines, wars, and natural disasters force people to escape their countries in search of food and fresh water, crossing national borders and oceans. In this framework also, climate change plays a critical role in driving the global food crisis, as extreme weather events that destroy entire villages and agricultural productions are always more frequent and intense. As shown by a WFP report, in 2021 climate extreme events were the root cause of acute hunger in 8 African countries, putting 23.5 million people at emergency hunger levels and eventually forcing them to leave their homes.
Out of 1 billion migrants in the world, is connected to water-related deficits. With this data, the World Bank aims to show how strong is the impact of water shortage on migration phenomena. According to the report, 17 countries – where 25% of the world’s population lives – are facing severe water challenges. Moreover, more than 85% of people living in low-middle-income countries are disproportionately more affected by weather events, showing a higher risk for developing countries eventually being forced to undertake dangerous migration routes.
MOAS response
Since 2019 MOAS has been engaged, together with our partners, with a humanitarian aid and food delivery mission to combat child malnutrition and support affected communities in Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. With the support of our donors and partners, we contribute to saving thousands of lives and building resilience among the most vulnerable communities affected by wars, famine and natural disasters.
For further information on the impact of lack of water on migrant communities, read our previous blog The Lack of Clean Water as a Push Factor for Migration, and Water Should Always Be A Right.
While we wait and hope to put an end to these tragedies, we need your help to keep saving people’s lives. Please, donate what you can. Every contribution makes a huge difference: https://www.moas.eu/donate/.
If you are interested in the work of MOAS and our partners, please follow us on social media, sign up for our newsletter and share our content. You can also reach out to us at any time via [email protected]. If you want to support our operations, please give what you can at www.moas.eu/donate.
