Attachments
Foreword
Food insecurity has increased substantially in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean since April 2020. While it appears to be levelling out in the first half of 2023, food insecurity remains widespread, with the most severe effects felt among the most vulnerable.
A cost-of-living crisis, driven by economic impacts from the pandemic, global supply chain disruptions and surges in fuel and food prices, has lingered among the Caribbean’s net-importing countries, despite a decline in FAO’s Food Price Index between March 2022 and May 2023. Natural hazards are an ever-present threat to disrupting the production and supply chain of healthy and nutritious foods.
The Caribbean Food Security and Livelihoods Survey, conducted by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), tracks the food security and livelihoods situation. This sixth survey round reveals that there are now an estimated 3.7 million moderately or severely food insecure people in the English- speaking Caribbean, which equates to over half of the population.
This important survey depicts the voices and experiences of 7,870 people across 22 countries and territories. It reveals that high costs are being felt across all demographics. Nearly all respondents reported increases in food prices, the highest proportion across all survey rounds. From a production perspective, regional farmers and fisherfolk report rising input costs, driving many to make changes to their livelihood activities.
The survey reveals the challenges people continue to face to earn a living and meet essential needs. Four in ten respondents faced job or income loss in those households, with others turning to supplemental income streams. Most are adopting resilience-eroding coping strategies that may compromise their future well-being, such as spending savings to meet food needs or cutting back other essential expenditures like health and education. This concerning trend is more widespread among low-income families, youth and respondents from households with extended family. Such negative coping mechanisms make people less prepared for future shocks.
These findings are cause for great concern. Access to food is part of the universal human right to an adequate standard of living and a key target of Sustainable Development Goal 2.
With people facing food insecurity and livelihoods challenges, targeted investments are required to strengthen food systems and support those who are struggling to make ends meet. A renewed emphasis on regional partnerships to develop more integrated, adaptive and resilient food systems in the Caribbean is required moving forward. This will help to buffer economies and contribute to a reduced dependence on extra-regional sources.
Ramping up agricultural production to reduce extra- regional agri-food imports by 25% by 2025, as stipulated in CARICOM’s “Twenty-five by 2025 Initiative” provides an example of how the region can work to simultaneously reduce escalating food prices and improve food systems. The livelihoods of those in the agricultural sector are of critical importance to the future resilience of the region.
Food insecurity is having major effects on the socio- economic welfare of citizens throughout the region. Solutions to these challenges can only be accomplished through joint regional efforts linked to national priorities in the planning and execution of comprehensive sustainable actionable solutions geared towards building resilience against climatic conditions and future market disruptions.
Joseph Cox
Assistant Secretary-General
Economic Integration, Innovation & Development CARICOM Secretariat
Regis Chapman
Representative & Country Director World Food Programme Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean