Topic: 2024-Supply Chain Stability
Country: Ethiopia
Delegate Name: Shruthilaya Venkatesh Kumar
Committee: Special Political Committee
Topic: Supply Chain Stability
Country: Ethiopia
School: Portage Central High School
Supply chain stability is a global problem because of the economic issues in other countries such as the Russia-Ukraine war. This means essential supplies such as food, technology, and chemicals could not ship their products. With this problem, many people would not be able to survive as they cannot receive enough life supplies to support themselves and their families. However, there are many solutions to how we can prevent these shortages and create strong economies. My proposal aims to give a solution to how supply chains reduce food waste and improve reliability to sustain products so people do not have to be concerned about this topic.
Countries need resources to help sustain the population, but due to global pandemics such as COVID-19, places such as Ethiopia have struggled immensely in terms of food and health. The pandemic disrupted the food supply in Ethiopia and caused children to experience terrible conditions in terms of health. According to Juliet McCann and others from the National Library of Medicine, “Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ethiopia was burdened with poor maternal and child health indicators. Child malnutrition including high rates of stunting (38.4%) and wasting (9.9%) among children under five years, and anemia among women of reproductive age (23.6%) are severe public health challenges [3]. Additionally, in 2019, 51.5% of households reported experiencing food insecurity, with the average household not able to satisfy food needs for 1.3 months” (McCann et al.). Supply chain management is important because, without proper stability, many people drag themselves through hardships that could affect their lives dramatically and escalate drastically.
Adding on, McCann states, “The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were felt across the food system and include limited agriculture inputs due to travel restrictions and closed borders restricting trade, reduced in-person support by agriculture extension workers, income losses, increases in food prices, and the reduction in food security and dietary diversity. Maternal and child health services were disrupted due to fear of contacting COVID-19, diversion of resources, and lack of personal protective equipment. Disruptions eased over time due to the expansion of social protection through the Productive Safety Net Program, and the increased outreach and home service provision by the health extension workers” (McCann et al.). Ethiopia has tried to help the food supply to avoid more deaths and is looking for more health services that can solve the issue.
Ethiopia has faced shortages of water as well, and they have attempted to reduce the shortages. For instance, the USAID organization has helped improve water sources, irrigation for food security, livestock health, promoting economic opportunities for women and youth, and restoring markets in areas of drought or conflict. There are many programs within the organization that commit to these services. USAID states, “USAID investments support the construction and rehabilitation of critical drinking water sources in rural areas of Ethiopia where water is scarce. Over the past five years, we have connected over 200,000 Ethiopians to sustainable sources of safe drinking water. In addition, USAID projects promote healthy behaviors and educate families and communities about safe sanitation and hygiene practices at their homes to prevent illness and disease” (USAID). The program is an impeccable reason why Ethiopia is improving its health.
My proposal to solve the supply chain stability issue is that the UN should consider providing more suppliers along with back-up suppliers so if a main supplier cannot provide goods or services, the back-up supplier can do so. Taulia claims, “A diverse approved supplier base, with failsafe suppliers on-board for key goods or materials, meaning that normal operations can continue if a key supplier is unable to meet their obligations” (Taulia). This solution can help improve global supply chain stability and help more countries, including Ethiopia.
The supply chain stability of the world is immensely significant to the global population. These issues such as the pandemic or shortages of goods could affect these processes negatively, which is why the UN must take action immediately with my proposed solution.
Bibliography
McCann, Juliet, et al. “COVID-19 Disruptions of Food Systems and Nutrition Services in Ethiopia: Evidence of the Impacts and Policy Responses,” National Library of Medicine.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10162349/
Taulia, “Overcoming the challenges of a global supply chain.”
https://taulia.com/resources/blog/overcoming-the-challenges-of-a-global-supply-chain/
USAID, “Water.”
https://www.usaid.gov/ethiopia/water#:~:text=USAID%20investments%20support%20the%20construction,sources%20of%20safe%20drinking%20water
