Latest news with #FoodInsecurity
Zawya
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Improving climate governance in West Africa: Three calls for inclusive climate action in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal
Climate change is a growing threat across Africa, with West Africa feeling its effects especially intensely. According to the ND-GAIN index, Burkina Faso (162nd out of 182), Senegal (144th), and Côte d'Ivoire (134th) rank among the most vulnerable countries. They face a dangerous mix of low capacity to adapt and high exposure to climate hazards. This vulnerability shows up in more extreme weather, worsening food insecurity, and growing precarity—particularly harming women and young people. To tackle this urgent challenge, the Union of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions of Africa (UCESA), supported by the African Development Bank, has developed three national advocacy papers. These papers promote participatory climate governance that reflects citizens' real needs. They also aim to strengthen the role of Economic and Social Councils in shaping national climate policies. 'These advocacy plans put citizens back at the centre of climate action,' said Arona Soumare, Principal Climate Change and Green Growth Officer at the African Development Bank. 'By giving them full backing, the African Development Bank is reiterating its commitment to inclusive, equitable climate governance rooted in local realities. These initiatives lay the foundations for sustainable and resilient development in Africa.' According to Abdelkader Amara, current head of UCESA and President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) of Morocco, 'UCESA is aware of these challenges and consequently intends to promote and support actions taken by African Economic and Social Councils and similar institutions that help to integrate sustainability and resilience into the frameworks for defining, implementing, and evaluating relevant institutional and policy mechanisms.' Burkina Faso: Building resilience in a Sahelian setting Located in the middle of the Sahel belt, Burkina Faso is one of the countries that is most vulnerable to climate change. This fragility is exacerbated by a limited ability to adapt, which is particularly pronounced among women and young people. The advocacy effort developed by the Economic and Social Council of Burkina Faso, aided by technical support from UCESA, reflects citizens' perceptions of the real effects of climate change. It proposes responses rooted in local realities, with a view to steering public policies towards a more inclusive, participatory and community resilience-oriented approach. Côte d'Ivoire: Towards citizen-centred climate governance Côte d'Ivoire lies in a region highly vulnerable to climate shocks. This vulnerability is compounded by the limited involvement of women, especially in rural areas, and the still marginal role of civil society. The national advocacy paper, developed through extensive consultation, captures citizens' expectations and offers clear recommendations for more equitable climate governance. It underscores the importance of fully including people's voices in decision-making processes—an essential element for effective climate action. Senegal: Citizen participation and climate resilience Senegal, a country in the Sahel-Sudan region, is already bearing the brunt of climate change. The national advocacy campaign draws on a citizen perception survey to inform a participatory discussion on future policy directions. Led by Senegal's Economic, Social and Environmental Council, in partnership with UCESA and the African Development Bank, the resulting document calls for a unified effort from civil society, researchers, NGOs, and policymakers to create climate strategies that are inclusive, locally grounded, and capable of sustainably strengthening national resilience. A regional dynamic These three advocacy papers are part of a regional dynamic propelled by UCESA, with the support of the African Development Bank. They demonstrate a shared commitment to rooting climate action in citizen participation, stakeholder synergy, and regional solidarity. Through this initiative, the Economic and Social Councils are re-asserting their role as a strategic interface between civil society and public authorities in responding to the continent's climate challenges. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
National Post
16-06-2025
- Health
- National Post
Subway® Canada's week-long Never Miss Lunch campaign asks Canadians to turn Cookies into Care
Article content Starting today to June 22, Canadians can support Never Miss Lunch by purchasing a Subway cookie benefiting Food Banks Canada.* Article content TORONTO — Subway Canada's annual Never Miss Lunch charitable campaign starts today, supporting children nationwide who are experiencing food insecurity. From now until June 22, every cookie purchased helps Food Banks Canada fill food packs with nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables and dairy products, benefitting children in over 235 communities. Article content 'No child should have to face the stress and uncertainty of hunger—especially during the summer months, when access to fresh food becomes more difficult for families,' says Kirstin Beardsley, CEO of Food Banks Canada. 'Thanks to dedicated partners like Subway, we can bridge that critical gap by providing access to nutritious and fresh foods for children throughout the country all summer long. Together, we're not only giving children food for fuel, we are also nurturing their potential and hope for a brighter future.' Article content Now in its sixth year, the Subway Canada Never Miss Lunch program is proud to support Food Banks Canada, where donations will help distribute 215,000 food packs to children across hundreds of communities this summer. Since 2019, Subway Canada's Never Miss Lunch campaign has contributed to filling over one million nutritious food packs for children. As the exclusive Fresh Food Sponsor, Subway Canada plays a key role in ensuring that every pack includes not just shelf-stable items, but real, fresh food to fuel kids' bodies and minds. Article content 'At Subway, we know that providing children with fresh, healthy food options and nourishing young minds and bodies is the first step towards giving kids the foundation to excel,' says Courtney Hindorff, Managing Director at Subway Canada. 'No child should have to start their day worried about where their next meal is coming from. With Never Miss Lunch, we're harnessing the power of community to put healthy, fresh foods within reach for kids—because supporting healthy futures starts with healthy, fresh meals.' Article content Childhood food insecurity remains a pressing concern nationwide. According to Statistics Canada's most recent Canadian Income Survey, nearly 33% of all Canadian children under 18 live in households that struggle to afford enough food, amounting to approximately 2.5 million children facing hunger at home. Article content * Article content ® Article content will donate the equivalent of the average estimated net proceeds per cookie sold June 16-22, 2025 to Food Banks Canada. Guaranteed min. donation: $765K CAD for 2025. Article content About Subway ® Restaurants Article content With nearly 3,000 locations nationwide, Subway Canada is dedicated to serving freshly made sandwiches at great value to millions of guests. Subway restaurants are owned and operated by a network of dedicated Subway franchisees who are passionate about consistently delivering a high-quality, convenient guest experience and contributing positively to their local communities. Article content Subway ® is a globally registered trademark of Subway IP LLC or one of its affiliates. © 2025 Subway. Article content About Never Miss Lunch Article content The Never Miss Lunch program is Subway Article content ® Article content Canada's commitment to children in communities across the country. In partnership with Food Banks Canada's After the Bell program, the initiative aims to provide nutritious food to kids in need during the summer break, when many community-based lunch programs end. As the exclusive Fresh Food Sponsor, Subway Canada provides fresh fruits and vegetables for food packs, which helps to ensure the packs are balanced and nutritious. Now in its 6th year, Subway Article content Canada has helped Food Banks Canada deliver over one million food packs to hundreds of communities across Canada. Article content About Food Banks Canada Article content Food Banks Canada is the nation's leading force in the fight against hunger, advocating tirelessly for meaningful actions to counter food insecurity. With nearly 2 million visits to food banks monthly, on average, their mission is clear: to relieve hunger today and prevent it tomorrow. Collaborating with over 5,100 food banks and organizations nationwide, they invest in research, champion vital work, and work towards a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
