Agricultural Recovery
War impacts farmlands, destroys infrastructure, contaminates ground,
disrupts food production, and damages irrigation systems.
As a consequence, communities face food shortages, malnutrition, and economic instability long after fighting ends.
Agricultural recovery is paramount in post-conflict zones. Rehabilitating farmlands, providing farmers with necessary resources, and restoring irrigation and transportation infrastructure are crucial steps toward rebuilding food security and economic stability.
The World Food Programme is calling the period after the invasion of Ukraine the worst food crisis in modern history (2023). A record 349 million people across 79 countries are struggling with food insecurity, a dizzying rise of 200 million people compared to levels before the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 900,000 people worldwide are fighting to survive in conditions reaching famine levels. These figures represent a ten-fold increase in five years. In addition to the war in Ukraine, a rise in extreme weather events, disrupted supply chains, and high energy prices have created a food security catastrophe for people around the world.
We are all connected
We all need to eat, but putting food on our tables is not a simple process. The world's food system is a delicate web of interconnected processes, spanning from agricultural production to global distribution. This intricate network is increasingly unstable. Climate change-induced extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, disrupt agricultural production, leading to crop failures and food shortages. Depletion of natural resources, soil degradation, and water scarcity further strain the capacity of the food system. Geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, and economic instability disrupt supply chains and access to essential food items, exacerbating food insecurity in vulnerable regions.
Quick agricultural recovery is a global concern.
When conflicts disrupt agricultural activities, the global food system must quickly and effectively reallocate resources and aid to the affected areas. Rapid agricultural recovery is instrumental to lasting peace, restoring community, and stabilizing economic and political processes. It’s also necessary for restoring global security, workforce capacity, and environmental health.