Pimbert’s book covers a range of topics related to food sovereignty. He looks at local food systems, livelihoods and environments, and the ecological basis of food systems before explaining how the current multiple crises in food, agriculture and environment arose, in terms of the social and environmental costs of modern food systems. The book concludes with the author’s vision of a way forward: He presents food sovereignty as an alternative paradigm for food and agriculture and discusses how to promote national policies and legislation and global multilateralism and policies that promote food sovereignty.
Poverty and health
Towards food sovereignty: Reclaiming autonomous food systems
Pimbert M: 2008
WHO position paper on oral rehydration salts to reduce mortality from cholera
World Health Organization: December 2008
Cholera can rapidly lead to severe dehydration and death if left untreated. Oral rehydration salts (ORS) can successfully treat 80% of cholera patients - both adults and children –and should be given early at home to avert delays in rehydration and improve survival. WHO outlines in the report that it does not see any contradiction in making ORS packages available to households and non-medical personnel outside health care facilities. In contrast, making ORS available at household and community levels can avert unnecessary deaths and contributes to diminishing case fatality rates, particularly in resource-poor settings. Providing nutritious food as well as continuing breastfeeding for infants and young children should continue simultaneously with administering appropriate fluids or ORS.
WHO regional director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, visits Zimbabwe to support cholera epidemic response
World Health Organization: 19 December 2008
During his three-day visit from 16-19 December 2008, Dr Sambo held discussions with national authorities and partners on ways and means of bringing an end to the spread of the cholera epidemic. Dr Sambo advised that beyond cholera, other specific health problems may become worse if the key social and economic determinants of health are not urgently improved. He highlighted the importance of inter-sectoral approach in the prevention of cholera and reached agreement with the Minister of Health to establish the Cholera Command and Control Centre, jointly operated by WHO and the Ministry of Health of Zimbabwe, to coordinate and boost the country’s capacity to manage the response particularly in the areas of disease surveillance, case management, water and sanitation, social mobilisation and logistics.
Hungry for a voice: The food crisis, the market and socio-economic inequality
Depelchin J: Pambazuka News, 4 December 2008
In this article exploring the history of socio-economic inequality, the author calls for an interpretation of the current food crisis over the historical long term. As a direct consequence of an entrenched, centuries-old capitalist system, the market as a ‘modernising’ force has consistently enriched the lives of a few while impoverishing a poor majority. Understanding the food crisis rests first and foremost on re-considering humanity’s relationship to nature and championing historical narratives true to the voices and experiences of the global poorest of the poor. Up till now, analysts have been discussing the current food crisis from the perspective of the last few decades, which is very short term, suggesting that the problem is momentary and conjunctural. It is neither and has been in the making for a very long time, as far back as 1491.
Who are the most vulnerable? Disaggregating orphan categories and identifying child outcome status in Tanzania
Baar y J and Webb D: Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies 3(2):92–101, 2008
This study analyses the report, Circumstances of Orphan and Non-orphan Children and their Care Providers in Mwanza, Tanzania, which sampled 1,960 children aged 6–19. It focuses on vulnerability indicators in children's living arrangements, education, paid work and psychosocial well-being, particularly girls, who are most vulnerable. Particular emphasis should be paid to girls within situation analyses. Vulnerabilities associated with widespread and chronic poverty underlie vulnerabilities related to demographic factors and household restructuring. Their complex interplay reiterates the need for AIDS impact mitigation measures to be built on a comprehensive and robust social protection programme that is driven by poverty reduction objectives.
More than 116 million people march as Stand Up Against Poverty shatters the world record for mass mobilisation
e-Civicus: 22 October 2008
Citizens have demanded that world leaders keep promises to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and end inequality. More than 116 million people – nearly 2% of the world’s population – mobilised at events in 131 countries on 17–19 October as part of the Stand Up and Take Action campaign. The mobilisation, which was ratified by the Guinness Book of Records as breaking the world record for the biggest mass mobilisation on a single issue, sends a clear message to world leaders that citizens want promises to end poverty to be fulfilled. At least five million additional people – many in Africa and Latin America – participated at events not submitted before the Guinness deadline. The United Nations Millennium Campaign has vowed not to stop mobilising and advocating for action until the Millennium Development Goals are achieved for the poorest people in the world.
Can EU funds be put to use to help food crisis?
EuropAfrica: September 2008
A plan to boost food production in developing countries and provide urgent food aid was discussed by the Development Committee on 10 September 2008. The food price index rose by more than 40% last year, which has had catastrophic consequences for people in the developing world who are already suffering from malnutrition. It has been estimated that to deal with the problem in the medium term it would probably require an extra €18 billion. The EU has committed to finding €1.8 billion over the next two or three years from unspent agricultural money to be matched by money from the Member States. Some of this will be used for direct food support, given the massive fall in grain stocks. Most will be used for seeds, fertiliser and irrigation to help countries to develop and grow their own food.
Corruption nourishes poverty
Transparency International: 24 September 2008
A new report by Transparency International (TI) has lashed out at some of the world's poorest countries for an ‘ongoing humanitarian disaster’, and deplored the wealthiest for not doing enough to help. At the launch of their 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) on 23 September in Berlin, TI said: ‘In the poorest countries, corruption levels can mean the difference between life and death, when money for hospitals or clean water is in play, but even in more privileged countries, with enforcement disturbingly uneven, a tougher approach to tackling corruption is needed.’ The 2008 CPI is a composite index, drawing on different expert and business surveys. It scores 180 countries (the same number as in 2007) on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 10 (very clean). Denmark, New Zealand and Sweden share the highest score at 9.3, followed immediately by Singapore at 9.2. Bringing up the rear is Somalia at 1, slightly trailing Iraq and Burma at 1.3 and Haiti at 1.4.
Economic slowdown to push 100 million into poverty
IRINnews: 20 October 2008
The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, has warned in a new report that the gains made in reducing extreme poverty are under threat from the rise in global food and fuel prices and global economic slowdown. In the UN’s Millennium Development Goals Report 2008, launched on 11 September, Ban wrote: ‘The largely benign development environment that has prevailed since the early years of this decade, and that has contributed to the successes to date, is now threatened. The economic slowdown will diminish the incomes of the poor; the food crisis will raise the number of hungry people in the world and push millions more into poverty; climate change will have a disproportionate impact on the poor.’
Impact of climate change and bioenergy on nutrition
Cohen MJ, Tirado C, Aberman N and Thompson B: International Food Policy Research Institute, Food and Agriculture Organisation, 2008
Climate change may affect health outcomes and food utilisation, with additional malnutrition consequences. This paper argues that resources for nutrition, such as agriculture budgets, are inadequate. Appropriate policies should make bioenergy development more pro-poor and environmentally sustainable. Efforts to achieve food security and good nutrition should address the underlying social, economic, cultural and political causes of food insecurity and malnutrition. Some low-income governments are now cutting excessive military spending and allocating more money to the public sector. The paper supports the so-called ‘twin-track approach’ to combating hunger and poverty: strengthening the productivity and incomes of hungry and poor people, targeting rural areas, ensuring direct and immediate access to food by hungry people and putting social safety nets in place.