Latest news with #ReinPaulsen
Agriland
7 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Ukraine: Communities need ‘immediate support' to produce food
Rural communities in Ukraine 'need immediate support' to produce food amid the ongoing war with Russia, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). With the war ongoing, many Ukrainian farmers and rural farming families face limited access to their land due to mines and lack the financial resources to purchase needed agricultural inputs, the FAO said. It warned that without 'urgent and sustained support', thousands of rural households may be unable to plant or harvest on time, jeopardizing Ukraine's national food security and rural livelihoods. The FAO said urgent support is needed to help farmers in the country safely access their fields and obtain essential production resources like seeds, fertilisers, storage and energy solutions. 'Meeting the needs of Ukraine's rural communities requires more than emergency assistance – it demands sustained, well-coordinated response to support agri-food systems,' the organisation said. According to the FAO, the coming months will determine whether rural producers in Ukraine can sustain production through the winter and into the next season. 'Across the country, rural households – many of them elderly, or female-headed – continue to depend on agriculture for their survival,' the FAO said. These households may be growing vegetables; tending to a single cow or a handful of chickens; and cultivating small plots of land, without a reliable source of electricity and with limited access to markets and supplies. Rein Paulsen, director of emergencies and resilience at the FAO, said: 'With the war still affecting millions, rural frontline communities remain among the most vulnerable and the least supported. 'These families want to be able to provide for themselves. They want to stay on their land. And emergency agricultural support is such an affective means of enabling them to do that,' Paulsen added. According to an assessment carried out by Ukraine's government, the World Bank, the EU and the UN, the country's agriculture sector has suffered $83.9 billion in damages and losses, with an additional $1.6 billion in the irrigation sector. The FAO said rural households and small-scale farmers bear a significant share of this impact and have been forced to adapt, facing land contamination, labour shortages, rising input costs and power outages. Thousands of families still lack basic tools, inputs, and services needed to sustain their production and protect their livelihoods. Since 2022, the FAO has supported over 250,000 rural families with vegetable seeds, animal feed, day-old chicks, cash and vouchers, with more than 15,000 farmers receiving crop seeds, temporary storage and financial assistance. The FAO has also worked with others to survey land mins and restore access to fields. Despite that support, the FAO said 'much more is needed', with many rural Ukrainian families at risk of 'being left behind'. Paulsen said: 'This work is absolutely indispensable. Agriculture is a fabric of rural society. It's not just a way to make a living, it's a way of living. And vulnerable rural families are holding on. They need support not just to survive, but to thrive and rebuild.' The FAO called on its donors and partners to 'redouble their support' to Ukraine's farming families, amid funding shortfalls that the FAO said continue to limit the implementation of its Emergency and Early Recovery Response Plan for 2025-2026.
Scoop
02-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Frontline Ukrainian Families Face Perilous Task Of Farming Mined Fields
2 June 2025 According to the UN, many frontline Ukrainian families are at risk of missing critical planting and harvesting windows. 'Agriculture is a fabric of rural society. It's not just a way to make a living – it's a way of being. And vulnerable rural families are holding on. They need support not just to survive, but to thrive and rebuild,' said Rein Paulsen, Director of Emergencies and Resilience at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) during a recent visit to Ukraine. Rural households across Ukraine – many headed by an elderly relative or woman – depend on agriculture for survival, often tending a single cow or a small flock of chickens. But these families are among the most vulnerable and least supported, especially those living near the frontlines. Hardship growing As the war provoked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth year, these households face growing challenges cultivating their land due to anti-personnel mines, land contamination, labour shortages, lack of inputs, shelling and frequent electricity cuts. According to the Fourth Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, Ukraine's agriculture sector has suffered $83.9 billion in damages and losses since the war began, with an additional $1.6 billion in the irrigation sector. A significant portion of this burden falls on rural households. Call for support Advertisement - scroll to continue reading On Monday, the FAO warned that without urgent and sustained support, thousands of rural households may be unable to plant or harvest on time, jeopardising national food security and rural livelihoods. Since the start of the war, FAO has supported more than 250,000 rural families with vegetable seeds, animal feed, day-old chicks, cash and vouchers. Over 15,000 farmers have also received crop seeds, temporary storage, and financial assistance. In addition, the FAO and partners have worked to survey mined areas, restore access to farmland, and support national systems for monitoring and recovery. But this assistance is not enough, especially as funding shortfalls limit the full implementation of the FAO's Emergency and Early Recovery Response Plan for 2025–2026 in Ukraine. The organization is calling for urgent support to help rural households safely access their land and secure essential resources such as seeds, fertiliser, storage and reliable energy. This requires more than emergency funds alone – a sustained and coordinated response is needed to meet long-term needs. Without increased support, these families' ability to plant, harvest and recover remains under serious threat.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Conflict and climate drive record global hunger in 2024, UN says
Rome: Acute food insecurity and child malnutrition rose for a sixth consecutive year in 2024, affecting more than 295 million people across 53 countries and territories, according to a U.N. report released on Friday. That marked a 5 per cent increase on 2023 levels, with 22.6 per cent of populations in worst-hit regions experiencing crisis-level hunger or worse. "The 2025 Global Report on Food Crises paints a staggering picture," said Rein Paulsen, Director of Emergencies and Resilience at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). "Conflict, weather extremes and economic shocks are the main drivers, and they often overlap," he added. Looking ahead, the U.N. warned of worsening conditions this year, citing the steepest projected drop in humanitarian food funding since the report's inception -- put at anywhere between 10% to more than 45 per cent. U.S. President Donald Trump has led the way, largely shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development, which provides aid to the world's needy, cancelling more than 80 per cent of its humanitarian programs. "Millions of hungry people have lost, or will soon lose, the critical lifeline we provide," warned Cindy McCain, the head of the Rome-based World Food Programme. Conflict was the leading cause of hunger, impacting nearly 140 million people across 20 countries in 2024, including areas facing "catastrophic" levels of food insecurity in Gaza, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali. Sudan has confirmed famine conditions. Economic shocks, such as inflation and currency devaluation, helped push 59.4 million people into food crises in 15 countries -- nearly double the levels seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic -- including Syria and Yemen. Extreme weather, particularly El Nino-induced droughts and floods, shunted 18 countries into crisis, affecting more than 96 million people, especially in Southern Africa, Southern Asia, and the Horn of Africa. The number of people facing famine-like conditions more than doubled to 1.9 million -- the highest since monitoring for the global report began in 2016. Malnutrition among children reached alarming levels, the report said. Nearly 38 million children under five were acutely malnourished across 26 nutrition crises, including in Sudan, Yemen, Mali and Gaza. Forced displacement also exacerbated hunger. Nearly 95 million forcibly displaced people, including refugees and internally displaced persons, lived in countries facing food crises, such as Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia. Despite the grim overall trend, 2024 saw some progress. In 15 countries, including Ukraine, Kenya and Guatemala, food insecurity eased due to humanitarian aid , improved harvests, easing inflation and a decline in conflict. To break the cycle of hunger, the report called for investment in local food systems. "Evidence shows that supporting local agriculture can help the most people, with dignity, at lower cost," Paulsen said.
Arab Times
17-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Child malnutrition and food insecurity surge for 6th straight year
GENEVA, May 17: Acute food insecurity and child malnutrition increased for the sixth consecutive year in 2024, impacting more than 295 million individuals across 53 countries and territories, according to a United Nations report released on Friday. This represents a 5% rise compared to 2023, with 22.6% of populations in the hardest-hit areas facing crisis-level hunger or worse. "The 2025 Global Report on Food Crises paints a staggering picture," said Rein Paulsen, Director of Emergencies and Resilience at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). He cited conflict, extreme weather, and economic shocks as the primary drivers of the crisis, noting that these factors frequently intersect. The UN warned of further deterioration in 2025, pointing to the most significant projected decline in humanitarian food aid funding since the report began. Funding is expected to fall by between 10% and over 45%. One major factor has been the rollback of humanitarian assistance by the United States under President Donald Trump, who has effectively shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development's operations, cancelling over 80% of its relief programs. "Millions of hungry people have lost, or will soon lose, the critical lifeline we provide," said Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, headquartered in Rome. Conflict remained the leading cause of hunger in 2024, affecting nearly 140 million people in 20 countries. Catastrophic food insecurity was reported in regions such as Gaza, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali, while Sudan officially confirmed famine conditions. Economic instability, including inflation and currency collapses, pushed 59.4 million people into food crises in 15 countries—almost double the pre-COVID-19 numbers. Countries like Syria and Yemen were especially impacted. Extreme weather events, particularly those driven by El Niño, triggered droughts and floods in 18 countries, leaving over 96 million people in crisis. The most affected regions were Southern Africa, Southern Asia, and the Horn of Africa. The number of people experiencing famine-like conditions more than doubled to 1.9 million in 2024 — the highest level since global reporting began in 2016. Child malnutrition also reached alarming heights. Nearly 38 million children under the age of five were acutely malnourished across 26 crisis-affected regions, including Sudan, Yemen, Mali, and Gaza. Forced displacement further intensified the hunger crisis. Nearly 95 million people who were either refugees or internally displaced were living in countries grappling with food crises, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia. Despite these alarming trends, some progress was noted in 2024. Fifteen countries—including Ukraine, Kenya, and Guatemala—experienced improvements in food security thanks to humanitarian assistance, better harvests, reduced inflation, and diminished conflict. To address the root causes of hunger, the report urged greater investment in local food systems. 'Evidence shows that supporting local agriculture can help the most people, with dignity, at lower cost,' Paulsen emphasized.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Conflict and climate drive record global hunger in 2024, UN says
ROME (Reuters) - Acute food insecurity and child malnutrition rose for a sixth consecutive year in 2024, affecting more than 295 million people across 53 countries and territories, according to a U.N. report released on Friday. That marked a 5% increase on 2023 levels, with 22.6% of populations in worst-hit regions experiencing crisis-level hunger or worse. "The 2025 Global Report on Food Crises paints a staggering picture," said Rein Paulsen, Director of Emergencies and Resilience at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). "Conflict, weather extremes and economic shocks are the main drivers, and they often overlap," he added. Looking ahead, the U.N. warned of worsening conditions this year, citing the steepest projected drop in humanitarian food funding since the report's inception -- put at anywhere between 10% to more than 45%. U.S. President Donald Trump has led the way, largely shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development, which provides aid to the world's needy, cancelling more than 80% of its humanitarian programs. "Millions of hungry people have lost, or will soon lose, the critical lifeline we provide," warned Cindy McCain, the head of the Rome-based World Food Programme. Conflict was the leading cause of hunger, impacting nearly 140 million people across 20 countries in 2024, including areas facing "catastrophic" levels of food insecurity in Gaza, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali. Sudan has confirmed famine conditions. Economic shocks, such as inflation and currency devaluation, helped push 59.4 million people into food crises in 15 countries -- nearly double the levels seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic -- including Syria and Yemen. Extreme weather, particularly El Nino-induced droughts and floods, shunted 18 countries into crisis, affecting more than 96 million people, especially in Southern Africa, Southern Asia, and the Horn of Africa. The number of people facing famine-like conditions more than doubled to 1.9 million -- the highest since monitoring for the global report began in 2016. Malnutrition among children reached alarming levels, the report said. Nearly 38 million children under five were acutely malnourished across 26 nutrition crises, including in Sudan, Yemen, Mali and Gaza. Forced displacement also exacerbated hunger. Nearly 95 million forcibly displaced people, including refugees and internally displaced persons, lived in countries facing food crises, such as Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia. Despite the grim overall trend, 2024 saw some progress. In 15 countries, including Ukraine, Kenya and Guatemala, food insecurity eased due to humanitarian aid, improved harvests, easing inflation and a decline in conflict. To break the cycle of hunger, the report called for investment in local food systems. "Evidence shows that supporting local agriculture can help the most people, with dignity, at lower cost," Paulsen said.
