Seven United Nations Agencies published the latest hunger data for European countries and central Asia, exploring the connection between improved water resources management, sustainable agriculture and food safety.
If the inhabitants of Europe and Central Asia want to have food on their plates, they must have safety in water supply. In addition, water safety acts as a catalyst for the transformation of the food sector and agriculture in the region in order to become more efficient, more inclusive, more resistant and more sustainable. Sustainable water resource management practices are a prerequisite for resistance to farmers on climate challenges and to preserve food safety. This is the main message Regional food safety and nutrition inspection for 2024. Yearwhich was published today.
With geographical focus on Europe and Cenral Asia, the report is measured by the progress of the region to the goal of hunger, food supply and all forms of malnutrition by 2030. year, referring to intensifying shares to achieve this. Water safety is the main issue of edition for 2024. year, emphasizing the interconnection of the water sector with agriculture, food safety and nutrition.
The seven bodies of the United Nations teamed up forces and capacities in preparation Regional food safety and nutrition inspection for 2024. Year: United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO), International Fund for United Nations Development (UNICEF), United Nations Development Program (UNECE), World Health Organization (WHO) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
“Encouraging cooperation We strive to accelerate progress towards without hunger, healthier and with water safety. Our organizations are dedicated to supporting governments and the involvement of new partners in achieving political coherence and ensuring sustainable solutions for the challenges in the region.”
This joint statement in the reports of the report gave Viorel Gut, Assistant Director of the FAO and the Regional Representative; Regina de Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia; Cornelia Radics, director of the WMO Regional Office for Europe; Dina Saleh, IFAD Regional Director for Middle East, North Africa and Europe; Tatiana Molcean, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and the UNECE Executive Secretary; and Hans Henri P. Kluge, Regional Director of WHO for Europe.
Food safety challenges remaining
Although Europe and Central Asia continues to record the prevalence of hunger and insecurity in food supply compared to the global average, several countries faces different levels of food supply and malnutrition insecurity. These challenges depend on revenue levels, socio-economic factors and exposure to climate risks and conflicts, including the current war in Ukraine.
While it Purples of malnutrition At the global level in 2023. amounted to 9.1 percent, in the region of Europe and Central Asia since 2005. It was remained below 2.5 percent. However, in Central Asia about 3 percent of the population, which is approximately 2.3 million people, has an inadequate intake of the energy nutrition.
The share of people who do not have a regular approach enough amount of safe and nutritious food is a bit bigger. In 2023. about 11.5 percent of the population of Europe and Central Asia – which is 107.2 million people, approximately 1.5 million less than in the previous year – experienced moderate or serious food supply. The number of people who faced serious insecurity in food supply has also dropped, from 25.8 million in 2022. to 24.5 million in 2023. years.
These two indicators – prevalence of moderate or serious insecurity in food supply in the population, based on Scale of experiencing insecurity in food supplyand the prevalence of malnutrition – are used to monitor the world’s progress towards achieving the goal of sustainable development 2 (smest eradication). However, sharing other perspectives and the use of additional data is key to make estimates accurate and updated.
The region showed significant improvements over the last two decades, as regards the malnutrition indicators in children under five years, including slow growth (Stunting) and exhaustion (wasting). Also, the anemia gripped a significantly lower percentage of women aged 15 to 49 in the region (18.8 percent) compared to the global assessment (29.9 percent).
Europe and the central Asia are facing a growing problem of adults, which was 2022. In the year, more than 20 percent of the population, exceeding the global average of 15.8 percent. In addition, although the prevalence of excessive body weight among children has continued to decrease, with 7.1 percent remained exceeded the global estimate of 5.6 percent in 2022. years. Years. Years. Years. In addition, about 64.3 million people in the region – 6.9 percent of the population – you could not afford a healthy diet in 2022. years, although it is significantly less than a global average of 35.4 percent.
Water safety for agriculture, food and nutrition
In their consideration of water resources management, this report exceeds the boundaries of global discourse – which often deals with just a “lack of water” – focusing on water safety. Water safety includes general water availability, but with special emphasis on drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, water efficiency, quality and management. The report explores complex interdependence between water security and food safety and nutrition, with some aspects to strengthen each other, while others come into conflict.
The report identifies the key challenges of water security, including the worsening of water infrastructure, increasing water-based water, poor water pollution, the complex nature of cross-border cooperation and the shortcomings in the availability of water data.
Land pressure countries due to lack of water appear to use significantly more water in agriculture, with lower efficiency of water use in agricultural processes. Demand for products of animal origin requiring more water (eg beef, chicken, eggs and milk) grows in many countries in the development of this region, increasing the total food requirements in the food production process.
“The analysis shows that the countries with higher revenues tend to be more waters,” said Tamara Nanitashvili, a higher Policies for FAO and the main author of the publication. “The report shows that insecurity in food supply in the region is relatively low, even in low-water safety countries. Access to safe water, sanitation and hygienic infrastructure can contribute to relatively modest nutritional outcomes and the Caucasus.”
The report proposes that the countries of Europe and Central Asia should (and already develop) water resource management strategies adapted to their needs. In this context, water management support is crucial for countries in transition, especially in regions with lack of water, as well as investments in water conservation, recycling and reuse. The report also recommends that countries reduce the waterprint of national agriculture and improve cross-border cooperation in improved water resources management.
