Lebanon Conflict and Hunger Report: Destruction of Farmland, Displacement of Farmers

Africa’s hunger crisis is not seasonal; it is systemic. In my latest article, I argue that food insecurity across the continent is not a misfortune, but a failure of policy, will, and imagination. From Somalia’s weaponised famine to South Africa’s relative stability, I examine how aid dependency and governance gaps have deepened the crisis. It’s time to shift from reactive appeals to proactive sovereignty, through climate-smart agriculture, regional grain reserves, and empowered smallholders. Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/gPPeFzmK #FoodSovereignty #AfricaRising #EndHunger #PolicyMatters #PanAfricanism #DevelopmentJustice #AidReform #ClimateResilience #AfricanFutures #WFP2025

🌱#OctoberRecap Don’t miss out on our October blogs and news: 🔸Closing Gender Gaps for Resilient Agrifood Systems https://lnkd.in/d3f9J7Xn 🔸A Decade of Research for Development in West Africa https://lnkd.in/drc9DmHQ 🔸Transforming Wheat into Opportunity https://lnkd.in/d4Eibxiw 🔸ICARDA and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture Convene High-Level Consultation to Advance the Rehabilitation of Syria’s Agriculture Sector https://lnkd.in/dHawhybM ICARDA will continue to provide science-based agri-solutions, enhance food security, and build resilient livelihoods in dry regions and beyond. 👉 Check our website for more insightful stories: https://icarda.org/

🍛 Food is dignity, opportunity, and resilience. In a new op-ed, George Conway, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and Deputy Special Representative to the UN Secretary-General in Somalia, and Stefanos Fotiou, PhD, Director of the Office of Sustainable Development Goals at the FAO and Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, make a compelling case for putting food at the core of social policy ahead of the World #SocialSummit2025 in Doha. 🇸🇴 Somalia shows what this looks like in practice, linking food value chains with climate-smart social protection, youth skills, micro-insurance, and inclusive governance to turn producers into agents of change. 📖 Read the op-ed: https://lnkd.in/dW5XKRd3

On 11 November, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) released a joint report issuing a grave warning: acute food insecurity is projected to deteriorate further across 16 countries and territories by May 2026, placing millions of individuals at severe risk. The report identifies six contexts currently facing the highest risk of famine or catastrophic hunger—Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Mali, Haiti, and Yemen. Several other countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, and Afghanistan, are also highlighted as areas of significant concern. According to FAO and WFP, the principal drivers of this worsening crisis include armed conflict, economic shocks, extreme weather events, and a reduction in humanitarian assistance. These factors are mutually reinforcing, exacerbating an already critical situation that disproportionately affects children and the most vulnerable populations. On Monday, Hon. Giulio Centemero, PAM President, participated, at FAO Headquarters in Rome, in the FAO Pre-Summit Meeting in preparation for the Third Global Parliamentary Summit against Hunger and Malnutrition.  On this occasion, PAM President emphasized the central role of parliaments in ensuring that global commitments to eradicate hunger and malnutrition are effectively translated into national legislation and welcomed FAO’s continued cooperation with parliamentary assemblies. President Centemero also reaffirmed the Assembly’s readiness to continue its collaboration with FAO in support of the forthcoming Global Summit Parliamentary Summit against Hunger and Malnutrition, to be held in South Africa in 2026. PAM also reiterates its readiness to further consolidate this partnership through the forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the aim of supporting Member States in strengthening food systems, enhancing resilience, and safeguarding vulnerable communities across the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions. #FAO #WFP Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d_QvyEVF

🌾 Confluence Risk Mitigation at the 2025 Sahel Changemakers Conference! 🌍 We’re excited to announce that Confluence Risk Mitigation will be joining the 2025 Sahel Food Systems Changemakers Conference, organized by Sahel Consulting. The event is themed “Designing for Legacy: Building Resilient and Impact-Driven Food Systems.” As Nigeria’s leading voices in agriculture, development, and innovation gather to shape the future of food security, we’ll be contributing insights on climate risk and resilience—exploring how risk-informed planning and infrastructure design can safeguard agricultural systems, rural livelihoods, and long-term sustainability. At Confluence, we believe that resilient food systems start with understanding risk—from flood hazards to climate variability—and integrating this knowledge into planning, investment, and community action. We’re proud that our volunteer, Mark Malgwi, PhD, will be attending the conference on our behalf. Mark will bring our perspective on integrating climate resilience and risk assessment into Nigeria’s food production landscape. Feel free to reach out to him during the event to connect and exchange ideas. 📅 Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 📍 Venue: Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel #SahelChangemakers #FoodSystems #ClimateResilience #RiskMitigation #Sustainability #Nigeria #ConfluenceRiskMitigation #Agriculture #ClimateAdaptation #ResilienceBuilding

🔎 Syria’s Food Security Crisis: Why Market Systems Must Link to Water Access In 2025, over 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line. Years of conflict, economic collapse, and climate shocks have left millions of food insecure and dependent on aid. But humanitarian assistance alone isn’t enough. To build resilience, we must invest in Market Systems Development (MSD) especially in agriculture and small enterprise and link it directly to sustainable water access through community-managed boreholes. 💧 Water is the foundation of livelihoods. 🛒 Markets are the engine of recovery. When farmers have reliable irrigation, they produce more. When producers connect to buyers, they earn more. When communities manage both, they thrive. Programs that integrate MSD with water infrastructure are already showing impact. Let’s scale them. Let’s shift from survival to sustainability. It’s time to invest in systems that last. #FoodSecurity #Livelihoods #Syria #MarketSystems #WaterAccess #HumanitarianDevelopment #ResilienceBuilding #MSD #ClimateAdaptation #SustainableRecovery

Exciting developments in the realm of regional food security. Zambia and Malawi have sealed a presidential agreement for the export of 200,000 metric tonnes of maize, fortifying both nations against potential food crises. This initiative marks a significant stride in regional solidarity and resilience-building, addressing the challenges posed by recent severe droughts, particularly in Zambia. With coordinated government action and backing from global partners, Zambia's proactive measures have been exemplary in safeguarding livelihoods. An emergency intergovernmental meeting in Chipata is set to lay down the final logistical and policy nuances for this pivotal export. This collaboration underscores the commitment to regional support and shared prosperity. #Maize #Zambia #RegionalSolidarity Full Article: https://lnkd.in/e5HWnZTh

📺 WATCH: Mr JanHendrik Venter, Director: Plant Health at the National Department of Agriculture, unpacks the lifting of Zimbabwe’s maize import ban on Newzroom Afrika explaining what this means for farmers, traders, and food security in the region. #GovZAUpdates #doaatwork

What if agriculture could do more than feed nations- what if it could build peace? That’s the vision shared by AGRA President Alice Ruhweza and CIMMYT Director General Bram Govaerts, who explore how farming can restore stability and resilience. Drawing on examples from Sudan and Nigeria, they show how targeted investments in smallholders can reduce conflict risks and lay the groundwork for lasting recovery. Humanitarian aid stabilizes, but functioning farms build peace. Read this insightful article on why strengthening local agriculture is key to resilience and dialogue across fragile states: https://lnkd.in/dVb-3Jzf #AGRA #AGRAImpact #FoodSystems Aggie Asiimwe Konde

Exciting developments in the Southern African agricultural sector: Zambia and Malawi are set to commence a groundbreaking trade agreement, with 200,000 metric tonnes of maize earmarked for export to Malawi. This collaboration is a testament to the strong bilateral ties forged by Presidents Hakainde Hichilema and Arthur Mutharika, aimed at reinforcing food security and resilience in the region. Zambia's innovative response to its recent severe drought, including budget realignment and international partnerships, highlights its commitment to safeguarding national food security, impacting 1.6 million households. As both nations prepare for an intergovernmental meeting in Chipata, the promise of continued cooperation in agricultural development and knowledge exchange is evident. Looking forward to seeing how this partnership further strengthens the regional food system and inspires future collaborations. #MaizeTrade #Zambia #RegionalFoodSecurity Full Article: https://lnkd.in/ewbna9mb