UN task African governments to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters

Accra, May 16, GNA – The UN has tasked African countries to take measures to lower people's and communities' vulnerability to natural disasters and civil conflict, seasonal or volatile changes in food prices, and climate change.

“Women are significant food producers, but their control of land in sub-Saharan Africa is less than in any other region,” the 2012 Human Development Report for Africa, obtained by Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday, stated.

The report explained that achieving food security in sub-Saharan Africa will remain out of reach so long as the rural poor, and especially women, who play a major role in food production, do not have more control over their own lives.

The report stated that ensuring access to land, markets and information is an important step to empowerment, whilst classifying bridging the gender divide as particularly vital: “when women get access to the same inputs as men, yields can rise by more than 20 percent”.

Access to technology can play an important role in channelling power to small land-owners by reducing transaction costs and increasing their bargaining power.

Access must be coupled with more participation in civic debate. This in turn, must be linked with greater accountability by governments and other organizations, the report stated.

The Report recommended social protection programmes such as crop insurance, employment guarantee schemes, and cash transfers – all of which can shield people from these risks and boost incomes.

“For too long the face of Africa has been one of dehumanizing hunger...the time for change is long overdue,” the report said.

The challenge is large, the time frame is tight, and the investment required is significant, but the potential gains for human development in the region are immense, the Report says.

The 2012 Human Development Report for Africa explores why dehumanizing hunger remains pervasive in the region, despite abundant agricultural resources, a favourable growing climate, and rapid economic growth rates.

It also emphasized that food security – the ability to consistently acquire enough calories and nutrients for a healthy and productive life - is essential for human development.

To boost food security, the report argues for action in four interrelated areas: agricultural productivity, nutrition, access to food, and empowerment of the rural poor.

It said increasing agricultural productivity in sustainable ways can bolster food production and economic opportunities, thereby improving food availability and increasing purchasing power.

Effective nutrition policies can create conditions for the proper use and absorption of calories and nutrients. Finally, empowering the rural poor - especially women - and harnessing the power of information, innovation, and markets can promote equitable allocation of food and resources within families and across communities.

According to the report, Sub-Saharan Africa's population, 856 million in 2010, is projected to exceed 2 billion shortly after 2050; More than one in four Africans - close to 218 million people - is undernourished.

The report stated that African governments spend between 5-10 per cent of their budgets on agriculture, well below the 20 per cent average that Asian governments devoted to the sector during the green revolution.

GNA