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May 4th, 2018

The impact of disasters and crises on agriculture and food security 2017

Published by FAO,

This report (PDF) by FAO provides the latest data on the impact of disasters and crises on agriculture sectors, combined with sound analysis of remaining gaps and challenges. Its attention is not limited to natural disasters alone, but includes the first-ever analysis of the effect on agriculture of conflict and food chain crises. The 2017 report also considers how the entire sector is impacted: not only crops and livestock, but also forestry, fisheries and aquaculture. Between 2005 and 2015, approximately USD 96 billion was lost due to declines in crop and livestock production following disasters in developing countries. Between 2006 and 2016, crops, livestock, fisheries, aquacultures and forestry absorbed 23 percent of all damage and loss caused by medium- to large-scale natural hazard-induced disasters. Results of the report reveal that standardizing disaster-related damage and loss assessments enables the monitoring of international targets and goals, and facilitates enhanced cooperation and coordination at the global, national and local levels. This can significantly advance progress towards more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems. The large share of disaster impacts absorbed by agriculture, combined with the expected further increase in the frequency and intensity of natural hazards, food chain crises and conflicts, calls for enhanced and coordinated sectoral policies, actions and investments in risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Improving data and building knowledge on disaster impacts on agriculture – including forestry, fisheries and aquaculture – is essential. A voice should be given to “silent” disasters, which will provide a more comprehensive picture of national disaster vulnerabilities and more targeted national policy and action. Strengthening capacity will enable a coordinated and coherent application of assessment methodologies, which in turn will build and strengthen partnerships.  Enhanced capacity for damage and loss assessment ultimately means better informed policy, action and improved disaster risk reduction (DRR), preparedness and resilience in agriculture. Streamlining damage and loss assessment effort for better DRR policy, improved resilience and higher investment in agriculture.

Curated from fao.org