Food and Nutrition Security

Food and nutrition security is one of the biggest global challenges of all. The 2030 goal is for all people to have sufficient food available and be able to eat a healthy and sustainable diet.

Since 2017, more people have again been suffering from hunger and food and nutrition insecurity. The main drivers of this increase are global economic shocks, such as those created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, as well as local conflicts in partner countries and extreme weather conditions due to the advancing climate crisis. Three billion people are currently unable to afford a healthy and sustainable diet and are mainly reliant instead on staple foods such as wheat, maize and rice to meet their calorie needs. At the same time, changing dietary patterns have led to an increase in overweight and obesity worldwide.

Nevertheless, it is possible to provide the future population of ten billion people in 2050 with a healthy, sustainable diet while respecting planetary boundaries. This will require a transformation of our agricultural and food systems, with a reduction in food loss and waste, improved, more sustainable food production systems and changes in our eating habits.

Our approach:

_{Figure 1: Food security in the context of multiple crises}

Production and supply of healthy food: Support is provided to actors along agricultural value chains in order to increase the availability of safe and healthy food.

Climate-smart management of natural resources and disaster risk management: We focus on the efficient use of existing resources and the development and application of agricultural practices that preserve agrobiodiversity and contribute to soil protection and rehabilitation.

Nutritional and hygiene knowledge, behaviours and practices: In order to promote healthy eating and the correct storage, processing and preparation of food, we use gender-sensitive, participatory approaches to address people directly. We aim to change behaviours and create a supportive environment, for example through gender equality measures.

Basic health, welfare, water and sanitation: Hygiene and health are prerequisites for improved nutrient utilisation. We therefore promote access to clean drinking water and sanitary facilities and to high-quality health services. We also support appropriate nutritional and care practices.

Social security and higher incomes: We improve access to nutritious food and promote social inclusion, for example through transfers and the further processing and marketing of animal- and plant-based products. To achieve a long-term impact, we combine these actions with policy advice and income-generating measures.

Nutrition governance: We advise national, regional and local government partners and institutions on the implementation of food security policies and programmes and support multi-sectoral planning, coordination and monitoring processes.

Stabilisation, peacebuilding and social cohesion: In the event of crises, conflicts and natural disasters, we address the immediate need for food, protect livelihoods and strengthen the resilience of the affected population. We act in a conflict-sensitive and peacebuilding manner, for example by establishing local dispute resolution mechanisms. In terms of transitional aid, we combine short-term, medium-term and long-term measures such as temporary social transfers and nutritional interventions with support for the commencement or resumption of agricultural activities.