Latest news with #QUDongyu
IOL News
5 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Starvation in Gaza: How war and blockades lead to famine
Palestinian children eat their meal from cooking pans in Gaza City. Image: Omar Al-Qattaa/ AFP Imagine tying bricks to your stomach to quiet your hunger. Imagine scrounging for something - anything - to eat, whether it is grass or lentils, just to get by. Earlier this week, an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) alert confirmed that Gaza is on the brink of famine. After almost two years of attacks and blockades that resulted in starvation, Gaza experiences the worst-case scenario of famine (IPC AFI Phase 5). "Mounting evidence shows that widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease are driving a rise in hunger-related deaths. Latest data indicate that famine thresholds have been reached for food consumption in most of the Gaza Strip and for acute malnutrition in Gaza City," stated the IPC report. But what does this mean for Palestinians? Famine, a term synonymous with widespread suffering and death, is the most extreme classification of food insecurity, known as IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe/Famine) on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Acute Food Insecurity scale. The IPC defines famine as an area-level classification where at least one in five households (20 percent) faces an extreme lack of food, leading to starvation and destitution. But the IPC can't just classify situations as famine. For an area to be classified as Famine (IPC Phase 5), specific thresholds must be met. 20% of households experiencing an extreme food shortage and destitution. 30% of children acutely malnourished. A mortality rate of at least 2 deaths per 10,000 people each day, due to outright starvation or the interaction of malnutrition and disease. While common drivers of famine are usually caused by conflict, economic shocks and weather Extremes, this has been described as a man-made famine. According to the World Food Programme, food consumption has plummeted in Gaza since the last IPC Update in May 2025. "Data shows that more than one in three people (39 per cent) are now going days at a time without eating," revealed WFP. 'Gaza is now on the brink of a full-scale famine. People are starving not because food is unavailable, but because access is blocked, local agrifood systems have collapsed, and families can no longer sustain even the most basic livelihoods,' said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. 'We urgently need safe and sustained humanitarian access and immediate support to restore local food production and livelihoods - this is the only way to prevent further loss of life. The right to food is a basic human right.' Read that again: People are starving not because food is unavailable. This is worth noting because according to Human Rights Watch, Palestinian civilians are attacked at aid sites. This means that starving people are being shot at while trying to get food. Israeli forces at sites of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution scheme 'have routinely opened fire on starving Palestinian civilians in acts that amount to serious violations of international law and war crimes,' Human Rights Watch confirmed. 'Israeli forces are not only deliberately starving Palestinian civilians, but they are now gunning them down almost every day as they desperately seek food for their families,' said Belkis Wille, HRW associate crisis and conflict director. 'US-backed Israeli forces and private contractors have put in place a flawed, militarised aid distribution system that has turned aid distributions into regular bloodbaths.' According to the latest figures from the Gaza Health Ministry, 91 Palestinians seeking aid were killed in the last 24 hours, raising the total number killed to 1,330 and over 8,818 injured, since the end of May when the GHF was launched. IOL
Scoop
19-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Innovation And National Product Branding Can Transform Agrifood Systems In Africa And Asia: FAO
Hanoi - Africa and Asia can learn from each other to use innovation and national product branding to transform agrifood systems, improving food, nutrition and livelihood security, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) told an Africa-Asia ministerial meeting here today. In the first such inter-continental dialogue, ministers and top-level agriculture policymakers from 14 countries in Africa, and three in Asia, met in the Vietnamese capital to discuss challenges and opportunities to making farming productive, resilient, sustainable and profitable for smallholders, the main agrifood producers. Agriculture ministers and senior officials from Bhutan, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tunisia, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe attended the 15-16 July 2025 High-Level Inter-regional Knowledge Exchange on One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Models. 'I am confident that this knowledge-sharing will highlight how innovation and national product branding can boost productivity, improve profitability, open new markets, and promote a better life for rural communities, as well as show how Asia's successes can inspire and support Africa's efforts, and vice versa,' FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said in a video message to the event. Co-organized by FAO and the Government of Viet Nam, the event aimed to familiarize countries in Africa with Viet Nam's successful transformative national target program on new rural development through its "One Commune One Product". Viet Nam's Program 'has proven to be an effective tool for empowering rural communities and promoting ownership, accountability, and local cultural values for economic development and quality of life,' said Minister of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), Viet Nam Do Duc Duy in his opening remarks. Launched in 2018, the Vietnamese initiative leverages each locality's potential and advantages, fostering self-reliance and creativity in every citizen and community, to increase value and create distinctive, characteristic products unique to each locality, region, and area. Over 16,800 products rated 3 stars or higher, have been developed by the Vietnamese initiative, with millions of jobs created, and more than 60 percent participating households seeing an average annual revenue increase of 18 percent. 'We also see a clear alignment between Vietnam's One Commune One Product Program and FAO's One Country One Priority Product initiative - both aim to identify and promote strategic products of each locality and nation based on cultural respect, sustainability, and global market access,' the Minister added. Launched in 2021, the FAO One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) flagship initiative aims to catalyse agrifood systems transformation by promoting sustainable value chains of nutritious, but underutilized, special agricultural products with unique geographical and cultural traits. Agriculture ministers from Africa joined their Asian counterparts to share national experiences in OCOP implementation. Producing more food with less inputs, making agriculture climate-resilient, sustainable and profitable for all, is critical for Africa and Asia and the Pacific, the regions with the world's highest levels of hunger, malnutrition and poverty. The OCOP initiative helped Malawi save its banana industry, a key economic pillar, from a virus infestation. This was 'not merely a production issue, it was a threat to livelihoods, nutrition, foreign exchange, and our agricultural identity. OCOP gave us more than a solution, it gave us a roadmap to recovery and inclusive development,' Samuel Dalitso Kawale, Minister of Agriculture Malawi told the event. 'We seek deeper collaboration and knowledge exchange with Viet Nam and other OCOP countries.' Egypt selected date palm as its priority OCOP product reflecting 'our deep belief in its strategic importance—not just as a traditional agricultural pillar, but as a promising source of economic development, job creation, and value-added agricultural exports,' Ezzeldin Gadallahm Head of Central Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt told the event. The OCOP Four Betters Models The delegates from Africa were also briefed on how FAO is leveraging science and innovation to accelerate agrifood systems transformation through OCOP implementation in the Asia-Pacific region, in support of the FAO Four Betters vision – better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life, leaving no one behind. Strategic partnerships with leading science and innovation centres in the region are enhancing value chains of special agricultural products (SAPs). This includes the application of an innovative geographical and environmental traceability tool to enhance SAP value chains, increase access to high-end markets and incentivize sustainable production. Nutrition science and technology is helping develop SAP-based food products suited to diverse age groups and tastes while a market intelligence series is helping Asia-Pacific countries integrate SAPs into mainstream international markets.
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Africa-Asia dialogue on agrifood systems transformation to open in Viet Nam
Agriculture ministers and top-level policymakers from 14 African countries will meet with their counterparts from three Asian countries in Hanoi on 15 July 2025 to discuss making agrifood production more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable to reduce high levels of hunger, malnutrition and poverty in both regions. The High-Level Inter-regional Knowledge Exchange on One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Models, co-organized by the Government of Viet Nam and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is the first intercontinental dialogue on agrifood systems transformation, guided by the FAO 'Four Betters' vision – Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life, leaving no one behind. The dialogue is an initiative of FAO Director-General QU Dongyu to familiarize developing countries in Africa with Viet Nam's success in agrifood systems transformation, which is helping reduce wide urban-rural economic disparities in the Southeast Asian nation. The event includes an exchange of national experiences in implementing FAO's flagship One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative, which was launched in 2021 to promote sustainable value chains of special agricultural products with unique geographical and cultural traits. 'We look forward to this exchange of knowledge and ideas, and to learn together how to transform agrifood systems for the benefit of all,' said Alue Dohong, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, in a video message ahead of the event. 'This special event in Viet Nam offers a critical opportunity for Africa and Asia to learn from one another. Sharing knowledge, exchanging experiences, and building partnerships are vital to overcoming the common challenges we face, building on each other's successes, and ensuring no one is left behind,' said Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa in his video message. Ministers and top agriculture officials from Bhutan, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tunisia, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe, will share national perspectives on promoting the Four Betters through the OCOP initiative. Producing more food with less inputs, making agriculture climate-resilient, sustainable and profitable for all, is critical for both Africa and Asia and the Pacific, the regions with the world's highest levels of hunger, malnutrition and poverty. Viet Nam's agrifood transformation model The inter-regional knowledge exchange will begin with a briefing on Viet Nam's transformative One Commune One Product programme, a cornerstone of the country's rural economic development strategy, and an inspiration for FAO's OCOP initiative. Launched nationwide in 2018, it has significantly increased rural incomes and jobs by developing sustainable value chains for local specialties and traditional products. The programme provides comprehensive support for capacity building, product development, quality management and market access, to the rural manufacturers of these special products. The OCOP Four Betters Models The agriculture ministers from Africa will also be briefed on how FAO is leveraging science and innovation to accelerate agrifood systems transformation through OCOP implementation in the Asia-Pacific region, in support of the Four Betters. Strategic partnerships with leading science and innovation centres in the region are enhancing value chains of special agricultural products (SAPs) identified by member countries under the OCOP initiative. This includes the application of an innovative geographical and environmental traceability tool that will increase access of SAPs to high-end markets and incentivize sustainable production. Nutrition science and technology is also being used for SAPs-based food product development, suited to different age groups and tastes. In addition, OCOP implementation is supporting Asia-Pacific countries with market intelligence to integrate SAPs into national, regional and international markets. Strengthening the FAO-Viet Nam partnership The inter-regional exchange further cements the FAO-Viet Nam partnership, anchored in Viet Nam's active role in the FAO South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) framework. This was reaffirmed by the signing of an FAO-Viet Nam Memorandum of Understanding, during the FAO Director-General's visit to Hanoi in February 2025, to promote the sharing of technical knowhow, and institutional and policy experiences under the SSTC framework. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.
Scoop
14-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Africa-Asia Dialogue On Agrifood Systems Transformation To Open In Viet Nam
Hanoi - Agriculture ministers and top-level policymakers from 15 African countries will meet with their counterparts from 3 Asian countries here on 15 July 2025 to discuss making agrifood production efficient, resilient, sustainable and inclusive, to reduce high levels of hunger, malnutrition and poverty in both regions. The High-Level Inter-regional Knowledge Exchange on One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Models, co-organized by the Government of Viet Nam and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is the first intercontinental dialogue on agrifood systems transformation, guided by the FAO 'Four Betters' vision – Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment and Better Life, leaving no one behind. The dialogue is an initiative of FAO Director-General QU Dongyu to familiarize developing countries in Africa with Viet Nam's success in agrifood systems transformation, which is helping reduce wide urban-rural economic disparities in the Southeast Asian nation. The event includes an exchange of national experiences in implementing FAO's flagship One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative, which was launched in 2021 to promote sustainable value chains of nutritious, but underutilized, special agricultural products with unique geographical and cultural traits. 'We look forward to this exchange of knowledge and ideas, and to learn together how to transform agrifood systems for the benefit of all,' said Alue Dohong, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, in a video message ahead of the event. Ministers and top agriculture officials from Bhutan, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tunisia, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe, will share national perspectives on promoting the Four Betters through the OCOP initiative. Producing more food with less inputs, making agriculture climate-resilient, sustainable and profitable for all, is critical for both Africa and Asia and the Pacific, the regions with the world's highest levels of hunger, malnutrition and poverty. Viet Nam's agrifood transformation model The inter-regional knowledge exchange will begin with a briefing on Viet Nam's transformative One Commune One Product programme, a cornerstone of the country's rural economic development strategy, and an inspiration for FAO's OCOP initiative. Launched nationwide in 2018, it has significantly increased rural incomes and jobs by developing sustainable value chains for local specialties and traditional products. The programme provides comprehensive support for capacity building, product development, quality management and market access, to the rural manufacturers of these special products. The OCOP Four Betters Models The agriculture ministers from Africa will also be briefed on how FAO is leveraging science and innovation to accelerate agrifood systems transformation through OCOP implementation in the Asia-Pacific region, in support of the Four Betters. Strategic partnerships with leading science and innovation centres in the region are enhancing value chains of special agricultural products (SAPs) identified by member countries under the OCOP initiative. This includes the application of an innovative geographical and environmental traceability tool that will increase access of SAPs to high-end markets and incentivize sustainable production. Nutrition science and technology is also being used for SAPs-based food product development, suited to different age groups and tastes. In addition, OCOP implementation is supporting Asia-Pacific countries with market intelligence to integrate SAPs into national, regional and international markets. Strengthening the FAO-Viet Nam partnership The 'High-Level Inter-regional Knowledge Exchange on One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Models' further cements the FAO-Viet Nam partnership, anchored in Viet Nam's active role in the FAO South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) framework. This was reaffirmed by the signing during the FAO Director-General's visit to Hanoi in February 2025, of an FAO-Viet Nam Memorandum of Understanding, to promote the sharing of technical knowhow, institutional and policy experiences under the SSTC framework.
Express Tribune
03-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
FAO affirms continuous support for agri-reforms
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain addressing at the 44th Session of the FAO Conference in Rome. Listen to article Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain held a one-on-one meeting with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director-General QU Dongyu during the 44th Session of the FAO Conference in Rome. The minister expressed deep appreciation for FAO's longstanding support to Pakistan's agriculture sector, said a statement released here on Wednesday. He briefed the DG on Pakistan's ongoing reform efforts aimed at transforming food systems to become more sustainable, inclusive and resilient in the face of climate change. Highlighting the critical role of agriculture, which contributes 24% to Pakistan's gross domestic product and employs 37% of the labour force, Rana Tanveer Hussain outlined major initiatives undertaken under the Vision 2025 and the Prime Minister's Agricultural Emergency Programme. These include reforms in water conservation, seed systems, digital extension services and targeted farmer subsidies. He also discussed new national policies on biotechnology, e-commerce integration for small farm holders and soil health mapping. The minister noted significant outcomes such as improved affordability of healthy diet (from 37% of households in 2019 to 52% in 2024) and a drop in the real cost of healthy diets. He also underscored persistent challenges including food insecurity affecting 36.9% of the population, rising input costs and a severe climate-induced stress. Calling for enhanced international cooperation, the food minister urged FAO to support Pakistan's access to climate financing, carbon markets and adaptation mechanisms for vulnerable farming communities. Director-General QU Dongyu appreciated Pakistan's strong reform momentum and reaffirmed FAO's continued technical and policy support. He praised efforts to opt for climate-smart agricultural practices, digital innovation and capacity building.
