Food Instability and Political Crises

Topic:
Country: Guatemala
Delegate Name: Sarah Zaruba

One of the fundamental keys to survival is having access to nutritious food. While significant strides have been made in expanding access to healthy food, millions of people, predominantly in low-income regions, are still deprived of this basic necessity. Globally, nearly 30% of the population is still food insecure, and from 2019 to 2022, this number grew to as many as 350 million, a crisis driven largely by conflict, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic (FOA). Many organizations have aided in the effort to decrease the amount of lives affected, but this percentage will only increase if action is not taken. This topic is vital because when more people have access to basic nutrients, it will positively impact economies, health, education, and social development (UN). However, a lack of food would lead to negative consequences such as illnesses linked to hunger, various chronic diseases, a lack of nutrients, and political crises such as protests, fights, and strikes. These effects have already been seen globally, and they need to come to an end.
Guatemala’s work on food instability and political crisis is linked to the Sustainable Development Goal 2 which is work for zero hunger. Guatemala is currently one of the most unequal countries in Latin America, with two-thirds of the population living on less than two dollars each day. This poverty unfairly affects the country’s people, with eighty percent of the population experience deprivation in multiple aspects of their lives such as food insecurity, nutrition, health, and education. The country deals with extreme weather, including excessive flooding and drought, which are complete opposites of each other. The dry region of Guatemala has exhausted their basic grain stocks due to localized production shortfalls, increasing household dependence on markets for food needs. Guatemala is currently working with the World Food Program in order to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition. Because of our work towards SDG 2, WFP has supported government efforts to help with droughts, which is linked to the production of crops.
Guatemala urges that the UNDP take action to reduce food insecurity, and hopefully put an end to it. This would involve promoting sustainable agriculture, supporting small-scale farmers and equal access to land, technology and markets. It requires international cooperation to ensure investment in infrastructure and technology to improve agricultural productivity (UNDP).

Country: Denmark
Delegate Name: Jaelyn Stokes

United Nations Development Programme
Food Instability and Political Crises
The Kingdom of Denmark
Jaelyn Stokes, Forest Hills Northern High School

Conflict, droughts, crop failure, and pandemics have arisen in countless countries worldwide, causing food instability to become a dominant issue globally. Denmark’s priority has always been to address global challenges, such as food insecurity and political instability, with a strong focus on individual human beings and their rights. Because of this, Denmark has committed itself to eradicate this issue by investing in long-term solutions, such as partnering with WFP in their goal to end world hunger by 2030 and promoting peace and stability in countries with conflict.
Because food instability is such a pressing issue, the UN has made it a priority. One of the most significant ways they have done this is through their humanitarian organization, The World Food Programme (WFP). The WFP works to provide food assistance in emergencies and help communities and governments become self-reliant by improving their resilience and nutrition. Recently, they have prioritized areas affected by Covid-19 and places directly affected by the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Over the last several decades, it has been a priority for Denmark to support others in food emergencies and crises in an attempt to strengthen food security. The primary way that Denmark does this is through its partnership with WFP. Denmark is one of the WFP’s most consistent and valued partners. This year, Denmark and the WFP signed their second Strategic Partnership Agreement, a contract between Denmark and the WFP that talks about how both parties will support important causes. Kristian Jensen, the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, explained that “Through this agreement with WFP, we will support some of the world’s hungriest and most vulnerable people: women, children, the elderly, refugees, the internally displaced, and others caught up in conflict and crisis.”
The agreement has topic areas that are both Denmark’s and the WFP’s priorities. These priority areas are the solutions that Denmark has invested in, in the hopes of working towards a world without food instability. The first goal is to fight food insecurity so that they can meet people’s needs in food emergencies. The second priority is called Advance Climate Adaptation and Anticipatory Action. Global warming has had a direct impact on food growth. As a result, this act helps fight off drastic climate changes. The final goal is called Roll-out Humanitarian Development-Peace Nexus Approach to Food Security which talks about the importance of supporting people during short-term food emergencies while working towards long-term sustainability in those communities.
According to the WFP, 828 million people, around the world, do not have enough food. Denmark has decided to take the next step towards eradicating that number, in hopes that someday, there will be no more hunger. Denmark is ready to partner with other countries such as Germany, the United States, France, The United Kingdom and other countries who are working towards the same goals.

Country: Kenya
Delegate Name: Jack Novak

11-22-22
Submitted To: ECOSOC
From: Kenya
Subject: Food Instability and Political Crises
Delegate Name: Jack Novak

In the last year, 2.3 billion people – around 30% of the global population – faced food insecurity. The Ukraine and Russian conflict caused a challenge for food security, as both nations account for a large portion of global wheat and maize exports, as well as fertilizers. With the conflicts cutting off nearly all exports from both nations, countries like Egypt, Iraq, Algeria, Tunisia and Lebanon, all of whom are reliant on Russian and Ukrainian exports, had to find new ways to source such goods. This obstacle serves as a great example that being heavily dependent on another country for food isn’t stable and is subject to collapse at any time.

Why is it that so many countries are reliant on first world countries? Why should we care? Will food instability in other countries affect our country? Kenya has suffered from the recent conflicts, as Russia supplies our nation with 31% of our total wheat. Kenya has been struggling with food insecurity since 2010 and even before. Recent events have further compounded this issue. Major increases in wheat prices occurred, as the price jumped from 1,038.70 Kenyan Shillings to 1344.20 Kenyan Shillings. Wheat is one of the most consumed items in Kenya and without it the number of starving people will increase further.

Many factors contribute to the food instability crises across the globe, including climate change, income inequalities and health crises. Each of these issues must be addressed before addressing food insecurity. Even if we succeed in supplying many with food, these issues will still be occurring and therefore all the hard work will be for nothing. Kenya is facing huge impacts from climate change. We are unable to produce enough food due to severe droughts. We’ve already established the 2030 programme in hopes of building our nation. We’re doing our part so other nations should be held accountable and do theirs, too. Despite these long term challenges we do see temporary solutions.

The delegates of Kenya see a possible solution to this problem, such as cutting imports of wheat from Russia and creating a bilateral agreement between either India or the United States – two of the world’s largest wheat producers. The United States also is one of the largest importers of coffee. Coffee happens to be a product in Kenya which is able to be produced. We, the country of Kenya, believe that an arrangement between the two of us will help aid us in our food insecurity while also providing them with an item of interest. We hope that other nations break off trades with communist countries and instead engage in trade with countries who are reliable and truly care for global action.

The nation of Kenya has voted to cut ties with Russia and hope other countries will see the negative impacts of working with communist countries. Global food insecurity isn’t just a one nation issue, it’s a world issue. Working together to support each other is truly the best idea and we encourage other nations to follow suit.

Country: Romania
Delegate Name: RJ Langen

United Nations Development Programme
Food Instability and Political Crisis
Republic of Romania
RJ Langen
Forest Hills Northern High School

Without question, food instability is a dire problem that can cripple a country’s economy and lead to millions of deaths each year. With a score of less than 5 on the GHI scale, Romania fully recognizes its role in providing solutions to countries challenged with trying to achieve food stability.

Romania has enacted many policies that follow the guidelines of the United Nations’ Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030. For example, Romania has provided its farmers with direct subsidies to help them produce more food to export to other countries. Through similar actions, Romania is expected to export over 3 million tons of corn this year.

Romania is also one of the main producers of grain and oilseed in the European Union. On average, about half of our harvest is exported. Unfortunately, this year, we are predicting a 22% reduction in exports due to severe droughts in recent years that have hindered our farmers’ ability to irrigate their crops. We are grateful that the EU has provided financing to some of our farmers to set up irrigation systems. However, for many other farmers, access to irrigation can only come from large-scale irrigation infrastructure, including large canals and pumping stations. Sadly, this level of irrigation infrastructure is not currently available widely. At the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation, Romania has consistently recognized family farms as the backbone of a strong and sustainable agricultural sector. As such, we continue to be deeply committed to advocating for rural development initiatives that will help farmers provide food for more people.

Looking beyond Romania’s borders, we are also concerned about the ongoing war in Ukraine and the effects that the war has had on fuel and shipping prices. We urge for a peaceful resolution so that we can better ship our food around the world without having to worry about ongoing conflicts in the Black Sea. Additionally, Romania urges countries that enjoy food stability to join in efforts to help countries suffering from food instability by promoting food exports and issuing sanctions on countries that would hinder progress. Romania also requests that the European Union continues to provide financing to our farmers to irrigate their crops and expand such support to farmers in other countries.

Country: Japan
Delegate Name: Ema Bekic

UN Development Program
Food Insecurity and Political Crises
Japan
Ema Bekic, Forest Hills Northern High School

Food insecurity is a global problem affecting 30% of the world’s population. In Japan, a country with a population of 125 million, 3.2% is malnourished. The early 2020s brought global climate, health, and political issues, causing a global food crisis. From 2019 till the end of 2021, food insecurity increased by 4.5% (350 million).

In 2022, The Global Food Security Index ranked Japan as the 6th most food-secure nation in the world and the most food-secure country in Asia. However, Japan heavily relies on food imports causing them to have one of the lowest food self-sufficiency rates among the major countries. However, recent events exposed the fragility of Japan’s food security. Imports depend on external factors, like transportation, production in the exporting country, food safety, and cost. COVID affected food imports by causing delayed, decreased, and more expensive shipments, resulting in food price increases. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered a global food crisis as both countries are essential fertilizers and grain exporters – Russia and Ukraine together supplied about 30% of the world’s wheat and barley before the war. Political tensions between Taipei and Beijing threaten to escalate into a military conflict in the Taiwan Strait, which would disrupt the vital shipping routes of food to Japan and cause profound food instability.

Japan supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger from 2015, proclaiming to create a world free of hunger by 2030. In response to UN Resolution 47/24 about the effects of Climate change, in 2021, Japan endorsed the National Plan for Adaptation to the Impacts of Climate change, intending to develop new technologies and plant strains to survive climatic changes. In 2022, Japan authorized the New Capitalism Program, with a section devoted to renewing the agricultural industry. In collaboration with the World Food Program, Japan approved financial assistance to countries facing food shortages to ensure global food security.

While recognizing the importance of further promotion of global trade, Japan firmly believes that national food security should be strengthened by maintaining domestic productivity. Japan recommends agriculture reshaping through the recovery of unused farmland, crop diversification, investment in technological innovation, and incentives to empower farmers, expressing its hope that other countries may follow this pattern. To further affirm domestic productivity, Japan will decrease domestic product prices and increase imported food prices. Japan has already developed salt-resistant rice that allows rice to be planted and harvested in land otherwise affected by flooding. Japan recommends that other coastal countries should introduce and fund similar research in order to grow more food year-round. Japan recommends setting targets and developing standardized protocols for measuring and monitoring domestic productivity and accelerating and supporting collaborative initiatives that bring together government, nongovernmental organizations, and private businesses to help achieve the goals.

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Country: Canada
Delegate Name: Ava Balint

Committee: UNDP
Topic: Food Instability and Political Crisis
Country: Canada
Delegate Name: Ava Balint

With the COVID-19 pandemic and disasters caused by climate change, international food insecurity arose in 2022, with the addition of the war in Ukraine. This is due to the fact that Ukraine accounts for a large percentage of global wheat and maize exports, and the Russian Federation is a leading producer of fertilizers. The export control, rise in fuel prices, and violence and destruction preventing harvests have meant that the price of these commodities is rising. Food insecurity has countless consequences including increased concern, swelling numbers of internal and external migration, and rising income inequality. These all contribute to the focus of this committee: the prevention and mitigation of political crises caused by food insecurity. When people cannot feed themselves and their children and do not believe that the government is capable of giving them relief, they are more likely to take up arms against their neighbors or their government. We Canada disagree with the illegal invasion of Ukraine and continue to provide help to the global food crisis.

We Canada are currently taking action to help the global food crisis. We have provided $250 million to help the global food crisis. This funding will address the increasing global food and nutrition needs, especially for the most vulnerable and with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. This assistance is for children living in crisis situations and facing hunger and malnutrition, or parents who have hardly enough food to feed their children but will go hungry themselves. In addition to that, Canada has already allocated $514.5 million for urgent humanitarian food and nutrition assistance. Canada will continue to take action to address the causes and consequences of the global food crisis in coordination with others, to help build resilience, address the underlying vulnerabilities, and tackle the root causes leading to food insecurity.

As Canada we suggest partnering countries with food stability to join in and provide sanctions to suffering countries of the current food instability crisis. I encourage my allies in NATO, to provide their support. This support could be shown through food, money, medical supplies, and much more.

Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: David Liu

United Nations Development Programme
Food Instability and Political Crises
The United Kingdom
David Liu, Forest Hills Northern High School

In the decade leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world saw an increase in our collective food security. As a result, more lives were saved, more children received an education, and quality of life improved. Once the pandemic hit, all our efforts capsized as food prices soared to unprecedented levels, leading to rising food instability. Just under 924 million people are affected by food insecurity at severe levels, an increase of 207 million since 2019. In addition, the number of those facing acute food insecurity has soared from 135 million to 345 million, and 49 million people in 43 countries are on the edge of famine. Even in the UK, our hunger levels have doubled since January, with nearly 10 million adults and 4 million children unable to eat regular meals. With the recent war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as other political unrest, the world has found itself in an alarming crisis, and the UK acknowledges that action must be taken to limit the effects of food insecurity before more damage is done.
As a widely recognized influencer of global markets, the UK stands in a position to assist other countries in their own respective food shortages. We developed a new aid strategy in May that addressed the underlying causes of humanitarian crises, including food insecurity. Between 2021-2022, the FCDO budgeted £198 million for food assistance aid. Further funding has been pledged this year, including an additional £372 million for countries affected by rising global food prices. In June, we also pledged £130 million to the World Food Program, a tremendous increase from £130 million in 2019. Regarding the UK itself, because we’ve been struggling through a cost of living crisis since 2021, we published a food strategy for England, which includes a couple of key points: first, we want to take measures to help farmers and food producers to manage input costs; second, we want to help businesses access more diverse supply chains; and third, we want to work with industry to create plans to raise the resilience of critical inputs such as carbon dioxide and fertilizer.
During this time of hardship, it is as important as ever to bind together and fight through this as one body. We believe that although each country is afflicted with its own economic burdens, this man-made global crisis requires a collective, global response. As stated by our Ambassador Barbara Woodward, “We have the food and the means to help the most vulnerable, but we must act now.”
We also want to pursue accountability for those using starvation as a weapon of war or as a method of control. In order to quickly send help to those most affected by this crisis, the international community must enable the free movement of food. If support is barred from being sent, it won’t matter how much money we pour into producing food, help won’t be able to reach those who need it.
Lastly, we urge Russia to end this war. This conflict between two countries has created a global shock that is impacting the world’s poorest. We urge that peace can once again be restored and that our world can collectively work towards improvement. The UK looks forward to offering our support to the global community. We stand in solidarity with vulnerable or afflicted countries and will play our part.

Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Delegate Name: Ty Keesler

In current times the growing problem of food instability becomes more urgent to address, as well as the political crisis. With the recent Covid-19 outbreak it has affected every country severely and has worsened the situation even further much faster than anyone could have predicted. With current inflation, the price for food has gone up about 11.2% since September 2021, contributing to about 30% of the world’s population being moderately to severely hungry. There is also the danger of climate change making some environments change to where they can’t hold the same output of crops as they used to be able to. Since the industrial revolution in the mid-1700s gas in the atmosphere has increased about 45%, this amount of an increase has disrupted the balance of CO2 between the environment and the atmosphere. Soon enough with enough gas imbalance and temperature change crops and plants won’t be able to grow and flourish. Without quick action all of these things will worsen to a point of no return.

The DR Congo has one of the worst food situations in the world with 26 million people being acutely food insecure, and 3.4 million malnourished children in the country. There is also the recent major food crisis in the country in May of 2021, with an Ebola outbreak within the country making the current situation even worse. The country and the WFP have been working on different programs to get to more remote areas by plane to deliver food, and having programs in schools to help feed more children.

The DR Congo would hope to resolve the issue with help from more developed countries such as France, USA, England, and others willing to help.This would include the creation or increased support of programs to give food or assistance to be more self dependent to grow crops. Money would come from NGOs, and other donors and go to countries in need and have major food shortage issues. DR Congo does not want to interfere with countries sovereignty and wishes for the participation of giving and taking from pregrams to be up to individual countries. The DR Congo would like to ally with countries such as: France, USA, Italy, Japan, and others willing to help.

Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Delegate Name: Ty Keesler

In current times the growing problem of food instability becomes more urgent to address, as well as the political crisis. With the recent Covid-19 outbreak it has affected every country severely and has worsened the situation even further much faster than anyone could have predicted. With current inflation, the price for food has gone up about 11.2% since September 2021, contributing to about 30% of the world’s population being moderately to severely hungry. There is also the danger of climate change making some environments change to where they can’t hold the same output of crops as they used to be able to. Since the industrial revolution in the mid-1700s gas in the atmosphere has increased about 45%, this amount of an increase has disrupted the balance of CO2 between the environment and the atmosphere. Soon enough with enough gas imbalance and temperature change crops and plants won’t be able to grow and flourish. Without quick action all of these things will worsen to a point of no return.

The DR Congo has one of the worst food situations in the world with 26 million people being acutely food insecure, and 3.4 million malnourished children in the country. There is also the recent major food crisis in the country in May of 2021, with an Ebola outbreak within the country making the current situation even worse. The country and the WFP have been working on different programs to get to more remote areas by plane to deliver food, and having programs in schools to help feed more children.

The DR Congo would hope to resolve the issue with help from more developed countries such as France, USA, England, and others willing to help.This would include the creation or increased support of programs to give food or assistance to be more self dependent to grow crops. Money would come from NGOs, and other donors and go to countries in need and have major food shortage issues. DR Congo does not want to interfere with countries sovereignty and wishes for the participation of giving and taking from pregrams to be up to individual countries. The DR Congo would like to ally with countries such as: France, USA, Italy, Japan, and others willing to help.

Country: France
Delegate Name: Ella Duffner

United Nations Development Programme
Food Instability and Political Crisis
France
Ella Duffner

Food instability is a worldwide issue, caused by and leading to political crises. This is seen in Ukraine as well as many other countries in political unrest. There are many factors leading to food instability such as climate change, disruption of the food supply chain, the COVID-19 pandemic, and political unrest.
Since 2002, 2.50% of the French population has been below the minimum number of dietary energy consumption consistently to 2021. This is different than the percentage of the population which is food insecure, which has dropped from 6.8% in 2015 to 5.9% in 2020. A large cause of food instability is political instability as well as COVID-19. This is seen in Ukraine, being attacked by the Russian Federation, which has disrupted the food supply chain. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security were seen all over the world, from rising prices where food is available to the unavailability of food.
In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25, it is said that everyone has the right to food. Many times this right is taken away by political crises and disruption of the food supply chain. It is important that feeding those in hunger is a priority for the UN. Goal 2, part of the Sustainable Development Goals, is zero hunger. Because 2.4 billion people (above 30% of our world population) were food insecure in 2020, it is a goal to end hunger by 2030. As a part of the UN, France agrees with these statements.
Alongside this, France has also developed an international strategy for food security. This plan has five parts. The first is strengthening the global governance, such as the UN, of food security and nutrition. The second is developing sustainable agricultural systems because of changes such as climate change and erosion. Thirdly, strengthening France’s action on nutrition. Fourth, supporting the structuring of sustainable agrifood chains to promote the creation of decent jobs in rural areas, and lastly enhancing food assistance actions for vulnerable populations and improving their resilience. France looks forward to working with countries planning to take similar action on this issue.

Country: Philippines
Delegate Name: Abigail Eyke

According to the FAO, an estimated 30% of the global population were considered moderately or severely food insecure as of last year. An individual is considered food insecure when they lack access to adequate food that promotes growth, development, and a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, food insecurity often leads to political turmoil because the people cannot depend on or trust the government, making them more likely to take action through uprisings, strikes, and demonstrations, further disrupting food supply, and the public’s trust in the government

In 2000, the United Nations created the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to fight poverty. These have produced the most successful anti-poverty movement in history. The MDG target of reducing the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by half was achieved in 2010, 5 years ahead of the deadline. As a result, this also dropped the proportion of undernourished people living in developing regions fell almost by half. With this success, the UN is now shifting its focus to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the goal of ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving nutrition and sustainable agriculture by 2030. The UN secretary general also started the zero hunger challenge to provide children with adequate nutrition.

Fermin Adriano, the Philippine’s former Department of Agriculture undersecretary for policy stated in September of 2022 that the Philippines will soon suffer from a food crisis. This is a result of typhoons, flash floods, transportation challenges, lack of infrastructure, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a reduction in food importations from Ukraine and Russia. These have caused food shortages and a sharp increase in food prices, further endangering vulnerable citizens in the Philippines, leading to political turmoil as the people take action through uprisings, strikes, and demonstrations.

To fix these issues, the president Bongbong Marcos has appointed himself as the nations Agriculture Secretary and plans to implement “strategic agriculture measures” immediately. He plans to strengthen the nation’s agricultural center and shift away from reliance on food imports from other countries as the Philippines is the most food-insecure country in Asia due to its reliance on imported food from countries such as Ukraine and Russia. Marcos plans on leading the Department of Agriculture until food security is restored. He stated that food sufficiency and efforts to coordinate food supply must be given priority. Marcos also ordered agriculture officials to implement a farm-to-market masterplan in order to promote food security. He also plans on supporting agriculture by trading with other countries to buy cheaper fertilizer to help the country’s high prices.

Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Juliana Lewis

Delegate: Juliana Lewis
Country: Germany
Committee: ECOSOC
Topic: Food instability and political crisis

The need for adequate food and political stability in our nations is one of the most prevalent issues worldwide. We as nations need to band together to look towards a brighter future for the sake of our citizens and their wellbeing. The WFP estimates that 345 million people worldwide will suffer from hunger in 2022 which is an astronomical amount. This can lead to higher mortality rates, and also a lack of trust within the governmental system set in place. How our nation’s leaders respond to crises such as this, is a pivotal aspect on how we can combat this epidemic. We must do our duty to our citizens and bridge the gap of instability with access to safe and healthy food and mend the political upheaval.
Germany has taken great strides in producing meaningful change with hunger and setting goals to further funding and accessibility to not only German citizens, but other neighboring countries in need. Like most countries, Germany too has a need for food stability but also looks to help others. The Russian war of aggression on Ukraine has been exacerbating the global hunger crisis for months. Germany and its partners are responding with aid programmes worth billions to support those in need of food. In total, in 2022, Germany will invest around 4 billion euros in humanitarian food aid and crisis-proof food systems. Germany has also provided around 1.2 billion euros for the World Food Programme.
Looking towards the future and the generations ahead, Germany has a plan to stop the epidemic of hunger and instability in specifically third world countries and nations affected by wars going on. Germany looks favorably upon a central goal of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development agreed in 2015 is to end hunger worldwide and achieve food security. Germany is particularly committed to sustainable agriculture, but also promotes agricultural research. Germany believes that the political instability will be dulled by the efforts to bridge the income gap and major world issues that the UN can help to solve. Germany looks highly towards countries such as France, the United States, United Kingdom, and other NATO countries to partner with to push for societal change.

Country: Russian Federation
Delegate Name: Julia Kruger

Delegate: Julia Kruger
Country: Russia Federation
Committee: UNDP
Topic: Food instability and Political Crisis

Food instability is a problem. Everybody has to eat. Food instability is concerned with the condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Some of the causes of food insecurity include Poverty, unemployment, or low income. Lack of affordable housing. Chronic health conditions or lack of access to healthcare. Typically, political crises cause some sort of food instability. Political crises can be many different things. It could be a problem or conflict in the function of a government that the political constitution or other fundamental governing law is perceived to be unable to resolve. Or it could be causing a political crisis in another country. For instance, invading the nations around you. Both food instability and political crises are problems but can also be used to gain control over other countries or bodies of people.

Russia feels that a little food instability is not a huge problem. Sometimes people need to know what it is like to be hungry to appreciate everything their country does for them. Russia, however, is frustrated when other countries refuse to trade with them. Russia feels that when wanting to conquer a country, bombing their food supplies is an effective tactic. This would resort in that country having food instability. Political crises call for intense measures. Russia feels that causing some political cries is okay. Especially, if Russia gains from whatever chaos they cause. As Russia is invading Ukraine there are some political cries. However, Russia is doing it for the good of the world. No one likes Ukraine anyway.

Russia has big plans for the future. World domination is one of them. Russia believes that all countries should resume trade and not make it difficult for Russia to complete its goal. Russia plans to keep food instability away from all the rich and important people and leave it to the measly citizens. Russia plans to continue political crises around the world. As for the other nations, Russia hopes that they will not do anything to address the food instability and political crises. Russia will find support in China, Kazakhstan, and North Korea. But ultimately, Russia will want to work alone.

Country: United States of America
Delegate Name: Reese Bower

UNDP
Food Insecurity and Political Crises
United States of America
Reese Bower
Forest Hills Eastern

Food insecurity is a deep-rooted, continuous problem that every country experiences to some degree; however, the complexity of the problem makes it difficult to target and solve. Food instability and politics are intertwined, ensuring the problem is urgent: exports and imports, wartime strategies, and global interdependence all factor into the nutrition issues. In the current time of war, food instability is more prevalent than ever, as Ukrainian food is relied on by 400 million people across the globe. It is estimated that, due to the war, 40 million more people could be forced into poverty in 2022. Russian control of Black Sea ports prevents the transfer of Ukrainian wheat, causing food prices to rise exponentially. In Lebanon, which is highly dependent on Ukraine for wheat imports, the consumer price index rose more than 3200% since January 2020. As the war continues, its effects show in the agricultural and food-based economies of countries far from Ukraine. It is imperative that the United Nations collaborates promptly in distributing aid to prevent a worldwide food and political crisis.

There has been increased global discussion and action concerning this topic in the last ten years, including the 2012 Food Assistance Convention, The Second International Conference on Nutrition, and the 70/259 resolution describing the “decade of action” on nutrition. In most global actions, The United States has been a major force in driving activity forward on food security, particularly in the Roadmap for Global Food Security. This statement outlines both the action required and the US commitment to increasing food stability for all countries in time of war, climate change, and the tail-end of a pandemic. The United States pledges its support to continued aid. Since the beginning of 2022, the United States has contributed a total of almost 8.2 billion US dollars in humanitarian aid. Additionally, G7 leaders (including the US) have pledged $4.5 billion to combat this problem. Some contributions of the United States in specific include $200 million in USAID assistance to UNICEF for combating extreme malnutrition in children, $670 million to the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust to aid countries with increased food insecurity, and $150 million to the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program to enhance farming and food production in poverty-stricken countries. The United States also recognizes and works to combat the food insecurity caused by the unprovoked war in Ukraine, with $68 million in aid going towards the partnership between USAID and the World Food Program to support the production and transport of Ukrainian wheat. Continued support in boosting the agricultural economy goes to Ukraine from the United States in order to prevent a global food crisis.

The United States urges that countries endorse and adhere to the Roadmap for Global Security. This document outlines various necessary actions to improve the problem and ensure a global food and political crisis does not ensue. The roadmap includes points such as keeping agriculture and food markets open to prevent extreme shortages, as well as increased production and export of necessary goods. A strong emphasis is also placed on the War in Ukraine. The United States encourages countries to contribute aid to those strongly affected by the Russian hold on agriculture and food production, along with supporting the safe transportation of grain and fertilizer through the Black Sea. With continued collaboration among G7 countries and non-governmental organizations to provide humanitarian aid, the US and others can work to address targeted areas and prevent the worsening of a global food crisis.

Country: Colombia
Delegate Name: Vincenzo Frattarelli

Delegate: Vincenzo Frattarelli
Country: Columbia
Committee: ESOSOC
Topic: Wealth Inequality

Food instability/insecurity is an issue mainly caused by three factors: natural disaster, trouble with importation, or problems with the pricing. Most of these factors are uncontrollable, with the exception of pricing, however we can set up barriers to insure the safety of people in case of these disasters. Some possible solutions could be setting up food banks nation-wide and providing the government with the ability to distribute food to its civilians.

Columbia has an organization dedicated to this problem. Columbia has a rather large hunger problem, due to both its natural disasters and its wealth issue. There has also been a recent influx of people from Venezuela given the crisis there, about 1.63 million people. The group Action Against Hunger has helped urban areas in Columbia, lifting about 115 thousand people. This does not solve the issue in more rural areas however. One of the solutions to this is the organization of Banco de Alimentos. This organization works to help lift hunger in urban areas by storing food in case of disaster, and distributing food through paid workers to malnourished children,

In conclusion, Columbia is doing much to help their unfortunate situation with food due to disaster and the flux of immigrants. A couple of these programs are Action Against Hunger and Banco de Alimentos. However, hunger is still a problem in this country. It is nearly impossible to fully solve this problem however, and Columbia is combatting it excellently.

Country: Colombia
Delegate Name: Vincenzo Frattarelli

Delegate: Vincenzo Frattarelli
Country: Columbia
Committee: ESOSOC
Topic: Wealth Inequality

Food instability/insecurity is an issue mainly caused by three factors: natural disaster, trouble with importation, or problems with the pricing. Most of these factors are uncontrollable, with the exception of pricing, however we can set up barriers to insure the safety of people in case of these disasters. Some possible solutions could be setting up food banks nation-wide and providing the government with the ability to distribute food to its civilians.

Columbia has an organization dedicated to this problem. Columbia has a rather large hunger problem, due to both its natural disasters and its wealth issue. There has also been a recent influx of people from Venezuela given the crisis there, about 1.63 million people. The group Action Against Hunger has helped urban areas in Columbia, lifting about 115 thousand people. This does not solve the issue in more rural areas however. One of the solutions to this is the organization of Banco de Alimentos. This organization works to help lift hunger in urban areas by storing food in case of disaster, and distributing food through paid workers to malnourished children,

In conclusion, Columbia is doing much to help their unfortunate situation with food due to disaster and the flux of immigrants. A couple of these programs are Action Against Hunger and Banco de Alimentos. However, hunger is still a problem in this country. It is nearly impossible to fully solve this problem however, and Columbia is combatting it excellently.

Country: Turkey
Delegate Name: Izabella Smeak

Delegate: Izabella Smeak
Country: Turkiye
Committee: UNDP
Topic: Food Instability and Political Crisis

The United Nation’s goal is to end world hunger. Every year millions go hungry, and billions of people don’t get the nutrients that they need. Because of COVID-19, food insecurity rose even higher than in previous years. The global cost of food has also increased dramatically over the past few years. One of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is to “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.” In 2012, the Zero Hunger Challenge was launched to prevent all children under two years from becoming stunted by providing a healthy diet for the year. The World Food Programme supplies and assists 80 different countries with food and knowledge to become more secure. These groups and a few others work towards aiding countries to keep their populations healthy by delivering food at no cost to the country and educating these countries on how to become more sustainable.
During the Syrian refugee crisis in 2011, Turkiye took in almost 3.1 million refugees and has spent over 10 billion dollars to support said, refugees. Turkiye has partnered with international organizations such as the World Food Programme, The International Fund for Agricultural Development, and The Food and Agricultural Organization. These organizations provided loans and grants to assist in feeding and housing these refugees. Since then, Turkiye has become a great donor to the World Food Programme as well as other governments. Turkiye has developed many skills in agriculture. Turkiye has assisted many countries in need with technologies to better food availability. Even though Turkiye helps other countries, poverty is quite prevalent in the rural areas of Turkiye at about 35%, with a 22% poverty rate in urban areas. The International Fund for Agricultural Development set a plan to increase job opportunities and boost the economy. Turkiye is also now seen as a country that has hit its goal of reducing malnourished children by The International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Turkiye’s goal is to keep their rural areas out of poverty and reduce hunger. Turkiye plans to continue to support international organizations to help end hunger not only in Turkiye but worldwide as well. People, especially children have the right to get the food, nutrients, and knowledge needed to keep them healthy and ensure a better future. Turkiye urges that countries who have already achieved close to food sustainability help and support other countries in need with cash, with food and teach them skills to improve agriculture needs in their country. Turkiye would look forward to working with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Country: Nigeria
Delegate Name: Jackson Harlan

Country: Nigeria
Committee: UNDP
Topic: Food instability
Delegate: Jackson Harlan
School: Williamston High School

In these past few years, food instability has become one of the most prominent issues in Africa. Everything from dry land, and dying cattle to rising grain prices due to inflation has created unstable food sources all over the globe. It can lead to damage to a child’s ability to grow, serious medical complications, and the difficult decision of choosing whether to pay for food, bills, or other essential items. This year 828 million people go to sleep hungry every night and yet almost nothing is done. With Covid-19 and many conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, we are only moving backward in solving this issue. Action must be taken because the world can not stay in this state.

19.4 million people will face food insecurity in Nigeria this year, this affects most of the country and thousands of displaced people who have come to the country looking for support. This is especially taking place in the northeast states due to the armed conflict and banditry occurring. The global phenomenon of inflation has also greatly impacted this crisis’s prominence. Nigeria is also enduring unemployment rates higher than ever which certainly contributes as well. In the past Nigeria has worked with the IFRC to give humanitarian aid to those who need it. Other actions taken in the past were the creation of the NALDA, DFFRI, the Green Revolution, and Operation Feed the Nation. Nigeria will continue to work for these goals in the future.

In the future, Nigeria will take steps to solve this crisis. One possible solution could be to turn barren fields into new farmland. In past years over 2.5 million people had benefited from this new source of food. Promoting mechanized farming, about 90% of Nigerian farmers use manual farming, slowing down the growth of food production. Another additional possibility is starting more initiatives to support women farmers, and small farmers which would create a whole new workforce in agriculture. Currently, conflict is arising on the northeast border of Nigeria and this has prohibited the country from taking action, but in the future action will be taken.

Country: Spain
Delegate Name: Eve Orban

United Nations Development Programme
Food Instability and Political Crises
Kingdom of Spain
Eve Orban
Forest Hills Eastern

A person is considered food insecure when they do not have a reliable source of clean, healthy food at their disposal. People who are food insecure may have to go without food for a day or more and sacrifice basic necessities in order to guarantee their next meal. With foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables being harder to come by, many food insecure families primarily consume highly processed and non-nutritious foods. This, along with the psychological stress of uncertain food access, contributes to a high risk of obesity, chronic diseases, and diabetes in food insecure individuals. Without a stable food supply, a record of around 828 million people are suffering from hunger today. This is due to conflicts, climate shocks, the economic effects of COVID-19, and costs, with WFP (World Food Programme)’s operating costs skyrocketing 73.6 million above their 2019 average. Individuals suffering from food insecurity lose their fidelity in the government and their community, leading to civil unrest. This loss of trust often entails violent revolts, revolutions, and strikes. This is a trend that must not continue. Talk about the political crises problem a little. Like how food instability causes revolts, revolutions, and strikes.

Roughly 13.3% of Spanish households suffer from food insecurity. It has been an enduring difficulty that sharply increased during the 2008 financial crisis, in which Spain has never fully rebounded. More recently, Spain’s failed efforts to combat the poverty induced by the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed heavily to the crisis, especially in low-income districts such as Madrid and Barcelona. In addition, the war in Ukraine has created food shortages and high inflation throughout Spain. Due to these struggles, there have been many protests within Madrid in the name of poverty, and, more recently, in COVID-19 prevention measures. Spain, however, is firmly committed to the elimination of poverty and hunger throughout the world, with efforts against hunger and malnutrition at the top of Spain’s political agenda. The current president of the UN Committee on Food Security, CFS, is Gabriel Ferrero of Spain, who seeks to eradicate poverty, fight climate change, promote conservation, and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). Spain works very closely with FAO, particularly in the fisheries sector, and works to promote policies that guarantee the right to food security. Queen Letiza of Spain is FAO Special Ambassador for Nutrition. In this role, she spreads awareness and builds support for hunger eradication. Spain supports projects that help to reduce food insecurity in Latin America, the Caribbean, and various parts of Africa. Again, talk about some of the political crises in Spain(revolts, strikes, revolutions, attacks)

Spain is working to bounce back from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic on Spain’s hunger issue. The creation of food banks, community fridges, and government distributed meals is helping Spaniards to find relief after the pandemic. Unfortunately, this has not been enough to absolve the issue completely. Spain would like to see the realization of projects such as Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and the Hunger Free Latin America and Caribbean Initiative. They would like to continue their work and further their collaborative efforts with FAO in order to achieve the prospect of global food security, which will aid the world in solving political crises.

Country: Egypt
Delegate Name: Muskan Rekhani

United Nations Development Programme
Food Instability and Political Crises
The Arab Republic of Egypt
Muskan Rekhani
Forest Hills Eastern

Food insecurity in the United Nations (UN) is becoming a more significant problem as time progresses. In 2021, 828 million people were affected by hunger– 46 million people more than a year earlier and 150 million more than in 2019. Burundi, Somalia, South Sudan, and Syria are some of the highest-ranked in hunger levels. Most recently, the leading causes are the pandemic (unemployment) and poverty. Another recent leading cause of food insecurity was the war in Ukraine. Ukraine is responsible for a large quantity of maize and wheat exports and the Russian Confederation is responsible for a large export of fertilizer to help production. To decrease and work to eliminate world hunger, the UN has created the Zero Hunger Challenge. The basis of the challenge is to eliminate world hunger by satisfying five major elements: attaining food system sustainability, ending rural poverty, eliminating waste of food, supporting access for anyone, and stopping malnutrition. In addition, the UN provides emergency food rations in humanitarian cases with the World Food Programme (WFP). The WFP delivers relief food items following natural disasters or humanitarian crises. This year, WFP has increased assistance six-fold in Sri Lanka in response to the economic crisis, launched an emergency flood response in Pakistan, and expanded operations to record levels in Somalia as famine looms.

The Arab Republic of Egypt struggles with food insecurity and is open to the United Nation’s support. Compared to the rest of the UN, Egypt is in a moderate state of hunger. Egypt’s main obstacle to food security is safety. Egypt is ranked high in the categories of availability, affordability, sustainability, and adaptation, however, the quality and safety of food are issues. One proposal that Egypt values is the National Strategic Plan for Pre-University Education (2014-2030). The WFP began the plan to feed those in school. However, the flaw is the plan does not feed those who do not attend school. Another plan that led to improvement is the Egypt Vision 2030. The plan includes increasing employment rates, beginning food security initiatives, increasing clean water access, and generating accessible screening and treatment for malnourished individuals. Egypt would achieve this by improving economy size, market competitiveness, human development, quality of life, and anti-corruption. Because Egypt is struggling with world hunger, they have yet to contribute to the United Nations in this aspect. Instead, they have been provided aid in the past by the WFP.

The food instability crisis is in desperate need of action from the United Nations. The Arab Republic of Egypt recommends that other struggling nations adopt aspects of the Egypt Vision 2030. Countries should focus on four main points: increasing employment rates, beginning food security initiatives, increasing clean water access, and generating accessible screening and treatment for malnourished individuals. To attain these areas, developing countries need to improve economic size, market competitiveness, human development, life quality, and anti-corruption. Egypt is also a part of the Roadmap for Global Food Security. This is a guarantee that any country has access to food through the efficient flow of food resources. This can be especially valuable during natural disasters or emergencies that can cause a food shortage.

Country: Indonesia
Delegate Name: Hope Orban

United Nations Development Programme
Food Instability and Political Crisis
Republic of Indonesia
Hope Orban
Forest Hills Eastern

Food insecurity is a disastrous issue that must be addressed in our modern society. The Food and Agricultural Organization has reported that nearly 30% of the global population was moderately or severely food insecure last year. This number has risen exponentially from before the COVID-19 pandemic. Other factors that harm our world, like climate change and conflict, also contribute to world hunger. Increases in temperature, natural disasters, increased carbon emissions, and water scarcity all escalate global food insecurity. Wars and conflicts, like the current war between Ukraine and Russia, disrupt economic activity and the lives of citizens. The World Food Programme reports that 60% of the world’s hunger is living in areas affected by war and violence. Food insecurity inevitably leads to unrest in a nation’s population. Losing faith in their government, people migrate out of their countries or take up arms against their governments. These destructive political crises are direct results of food insecurity.

Scoring a 17.9 on the Global Hunger Index Scale, Indonesia has a moderate level of hunger. It ranks 77th out of 121 on the GHI scale. Foreign imports are important to the country. Indonesia is the number one importer of wheat in the world. According to the United Nations, Indonesia imported about $919 million of wheat from Ukraine in 2021. Wheat is used in instant noodles, an important food in Indonesia, especially for lower-income citizens. The Russo-Ukrainian war drastically decreased the importation of this grain. Though Indonesia has been able to rely on its own crops, it has not weathered this loss well. Despite holding a mostly neutral stance on the Russian-Ukraine conflict, President Joko Widodo invited President Zelensky to the G20 conference this year to discuss food insecurity. In an attempt to combat food insecurity, Indonesia attempted to introduce the food estate program. This program, however, has been deemed a failure due to its general ineffectiveness, harm to local farmers and crops, and negative impact on the environment. COVID-19 has, in general, led to a greater hunger crisis in Indonesia that needs to be addressed. Many issues relating to the pandemic are certainly shared by other countries, and Indonesia hopes to find solutions to them together. Indonesia is currently going through some political and social conflicts and does not wish for food instability to contribute to unrest. Rising costs for palm oil and other foods have already created discontent in the population, and Indonesia seeks to lower those prices to decrease unrest.

After the ineffectiveness of the food estates program, Indonesia seeks a solution to hunger that can resolve the issue while also protecting the environment. A good way to achieve this is by growing food locally. This will decrease environmental impact, bring communities together, increase employment in rural areas, and increase health. Farmers moving their businesses online will aid in the distribution and increase their access to the market. Technological advancements in general will aid in making Indonesia a sustainable producer of food. The National Medium Term Development Plan 2020-2024 (RPJMN) details ways to grow food sustainably and improve the diet of Indonesians. Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) encompasses many aspects of decreasing hunger and promoting healthy eating. Through these policies and advancements, Indonesia hopes to create a politically sound society that does not struggle with hunger.

Country: South Africa
Delegate Name: Andrew Dylenski

United Nations Development Program
Food Instability and Political Crises
The Republic of South Africa
Andrew Dylenski
Forest Hills Eastern

Food insecurity is the lack of safe and nutritious food for a person to grow and develop in a healthy way. The Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) estimates nearly 2.3 billion people worldwide who are food insecure this last year. While many developed countries in North America, Europe, and Asia have gathered tactics to deal with this problem such as stabilizing prices, equipping infrastructure, and creating jobs for the unemployed, many developing countries do not have government aid, funds, or land for agriculture to help assist this problem. The World Food Programme(WFP) is a worldwide organization that has worked to bring food assistance to over 80 underdeveloped countries that are malnourished. The UN helped by passing the Millenium Development Goals to help combat poverty worldwide and the Sustainable Development Goals, goal 2 talks about ending hunger by assuring an increase in agricultural production and more, but more work is to be done worldwide to combat this issue along with the problem that this lack of food is leading to political crises in many countries, such as emigration and immigration for food and revolts against the government which just leads to more cutbacks by the government. The UNDP must find a way to tackle this food insecurity and hunger problem in countries while proposing solutions to prevent political crises caused by a lack of food for families and communities.

South Africa has faced many problems with food instability itself. In 2022, it was accounted that about 6.5 million people(11% of the population) in South Africa are hungry and food insecure. Scientists in South Africa brought about some factors for the high amount of food instability in the country: unemployment, large household size, low income, and most importantly, lower education levels. Fortunately, the number of people hungry and food insecure has shrunk from 13.5 million in 2002 to 6.5 million in 2022 with the help of organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) and the World Food Programme(WFP) by helping farmers deal with floods and work with governments to stabilize prices to make more affordable for households nationwide. But, the problem is still present in South Africa and the problem of the restriction of food and resources nationwide from the supplier is causing protests nationwide. For example, around Durban, trucks carrying wheat are being blocked and burned by various citizens in response to their outrage. While the problem of food security and the crime caused by it is declining slowly annually, it is still ever-so-present and needs some assistance from other countries to seek out these minor problems.

Access to food is needed in poor cities where much of the population is unemployed and uneducated and in rural, agricultural areas where the proper farming technology is unavailable. South Africa believes that food production can best be utilized by increased government intervention in creating more jobs for the unemployed so these new workers can have the money to buy food for their families with these new competing prices. The government and international organizations can also help by providing the applications of new agricultural services and technology in areas that cannot afford maximum production and protection against climate change. Also, the government can work to protect social protection programs that give pensions to many households. South Africa will advocate for any resolution that uses government and organization cooperation to provide jobs for the unemployed while supplying agricultural services and technology to the rural agricultural areas in need of it, and the government compensation of the countries police forces to reside in mainly high crime residing places and areas where supply warehouses and chains of food mainly reside in to stop protests and other uprisings by citizens still not satisfied.

Position Papers for GLIMUN 2022 will appear above this line, with the newest being at the top.