CSM Report on Monitoring the use and application of the CFS Framework for Action for Food Security and Nutrition in Protracted Crises (CFS-FFA)
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The last decade has witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of protracted crises. The number of displaced people in the world is now roughly 80% higher than in 2010, while internal displacement has reached an all-time high. Protracted crises can often lead to drastic breakdowns in food systems, with extreme levels of food insecurity, malnourishment and hunger. Currently, there are nearly 60 million more undernourished people than in 2014, due in large part to the growing number of conflicts; indeed, the majority of undernourished people live in countries experiencing conflict.
Historically, deep discussion on food security in protracted crises was stifled in food policy platforms, as many protracted crises require political solutions. However, these contexts pose unique challenges – both in the duration of food insecurity and the complexity of appropriate remedial interventions – and require unique solutions.
For many years, peoples’ organisations from conflict-inflicted regions agitated for a focus on this vital issue. In 2012, the CFS embraced this priority and initiated a process to create a framework to guide comprehensive approaches to food security in these circumstances, which was celebrated as a victory for the Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism (CSM).
The FFA is unique in its emphasis on addressing, resolving and preventing underlying causes of protracted crises, and the food insecurity and malnutrition they so often cause. The FFA is anchored in the human rights and humanitarian law framework which is fundamental to these goals and to ensuring accountability and restitution for those affected by crises. Equally important, the framework recognises that resilience-building must enhance peoples’ capacity to prevent crises, not merely to prepare for or absorb them. As communities affected by crises assert, they should not be left to cope with or adapt to crises but rather be supported to resist their re-emergence and achieve meaningful recovery and development.
The FFA provides a much-needed basis for CFS and other policy platforms to better discuss and define comprehensive and coherent responses, the processes required to realise them, and the context-specific methods for conflict-resolution and peacebuilding.
This report aims to complement the CFS-led assessment of the implementation of the FFA by providing reflections from civil society organisations on: a) the implementation of and alignment with the FFA (or lack thereof) in policy decisions and actions taken in their home countries experiencing protracted crises; b) key barriers and challenges to use and implementation of the FFA; c) CSO experiences in advocating for the implementation of the FFA; d) coherence between the FFA and pre-existing (binding and non-binding) obligations and commitments of states, to help guide advocacy for the FFA and monitor its implementation; e) recommendations for the creation of a monitoring tool for the FFA; f) recommendations to CFS and its members and participants, along with other actors, in advancing the use of the FFA; g) resources that may help advance the implementation of the FFA.