Introduction to International

Development
Tereza Pilařová

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Introduction to Food Security
Defining Food Security Dimensions of Food Security
Food security is the state where all The four key dimensions of food
people, at all times, have physical, security are availability,
social, and economic access to accessibility, utilization, and
sufficient, safe, and nutritious food stability. These dimensions are
that meets their dietary needs and interconnected and must be
food preferences for an active and addressed holistically to achieve
healthy life. sustainable food security.

Importance of Food Security

Food security is essential for human well-being, health, and development.
Lack of food security can lead to malnutrition, stunted growth, and increased
vulnerability to diseases, negatively impacting individuals, communities, and
nations.
The Four Dimensions of Food Security
Food security is a multifaceted concept that
encompasses four key dimensions:
availability, accessibility, utilization, and
stability.

• Availability refers to the physical presence

of sufficient quantities of food.
• Accessibility focuses on individuals' ability to
obtain adequate food through purchase,
self-production, or other means.
• Utilization addresses the appropriate use
and nutritional value of the available food.
• Stability examines the consistency and
resilience of the other three dimensions
over time.
Measuring Food Accessibility
Physical Access
1
Proximity to food sources, infrastructure, and transportation.

Economic Access
2
Affordability of nutritious foods for all income levels.

Availability
3
Consistent supply of diverse, high-quality food options.

Measuring food accessibility involves evaluating the physical, economic, and availability dimensions that determine a
population's ability to obtain adequate, nutritious food. This comprehensive assessment helps identify barriers and
target interventions to ensure equitable access to food for all members of the community.
Assessing Food Utilization
Understanding Nutrition
Evaluating food utilization involves assessing the nutritional quality and composition of the food available to households. This includes analyzing
the macronutrient (protein, carbohydrates, fats) and micronutrient (vitamins, minerals) content to ensure adequate dietary intake.

Measuring Dietary Diversity

Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) is a key indicator of food utilization, measuring the number of unique food groups consumed by a
household over a given period. A higher HDDS suggests better access to a diverse, nutrient-rich diet.

Assessing Nutrient Absorption

Beyond just food access, food utilization also considers the body's ability to absorb and utilize the nutrients in the available food. Factors like food
preparation methods, nutrient interactions, and individual health status can impact nutrient bioavailability.
Evaluating Food Stability
Seasonal Availability 1
Analyze the seasonal patterns in food production and supply
to identify periods of scarcity or surplus. This helps anticipate
and plan for fluctuations in food accessibility throughout the 2 Price Fluctuations
year. Monitor the volatility of food prices, both at the producer and
consumer levels. Sharp price changes can indicate instability
Supply Chain Resilience 3 in the food system and impact household purchasing power.
Evaluate the ability of the food supply chain to withstand
disruptions, such as natural disasters, conflicts, or
infrastructure failures. Identify weak links and implement
measures to strengthen supply chain resilience.
Factors Affecting Food
Accessibility

Geographic Factors Economic Factors

Remote or isolated locations, lack of Poverty, income inequality, and high
infrastructure, and poor transportation food prices can restrict a household's
networks can limit physical access to ability to purchase and afford
food sources and markets. nutritious foods.

Political Factors Environmental Factors

Conflicts, political instability, and Natural disasters, climate change, and
discriminatory policies can disrupt food environmental degradation can
supplies and distribution channels, damage agricultural production and
reducing accessibility. disrupt food systems.
Addressing Economic Access to Food
Improving Affordability 1
Ensuring food is priced within reach of low-income households is
crucial for improving economic access. This can involve subsidies,
targeted cash transfers, and price controls on staple foods to 2 Increasing Purchasing Power
make them more affordable. Boosting incomes through livelihood programs, social safety nets,
and skills training can give people the means to purchase
adequate and nutritious food. This helps address the root causes
Facilitating Market Access 3 of food insecurity.
Improving transportation, reducing market barriers, and
connecting producers directly to consumers can lower food prices
and increase the availability of affordable options. This enhances
economic access in underserved communities.
Ensuring Food Utilization
Access to Clean Water
1
Reliable access to clean water is essential for proper food preparation and hygiene.

Nutrition Education
2 Educating households on balanced diets and food preparation techniques improves
nutrient intake.

Improved Sanitation
3 Adequate sanitation facilities prevent foodborne illnesses and
enable safe food consumption.

Ensuring food utilization is a critical component of food security. Beyond mere food availability and accessibility, households must
have the knowledge, resources, and facilities to properly prepare, store, and consume nutritious foods. This involves access to clean
water, nutrition education programs, and improved sanitation infrastructure. By addressing these factors, communities can maximize
the health benefits derived from the food supply.
Promoting Dietary Diversity
1 Increase Fruit and 2 Highlight Whole Grains
Vegetable Intake
Educate communities on
Encourage households to the benefits of whole
incorporate a wide variety grains, such as brown rice,
of fresh fruits and whole wheat bread, and
vegetables into their daily quinoa. These complex
meals. This provides carbohydrates offer more
essential vitamins, fiber and nutrients
minerals, and fiber to compared to refined
support overall health and grains.
nutrition.

3 Promote Protein Diversity

Emphasize the importance of consuming different protein
sources, including lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes,
and nuts. This ensures a balanced intake of essential amino
acids.
Micronutrient Deficiencies
Hidden Hunger Vulnerable Dietary Diversity Supplementation
Populations and Fortification
Micronutrient deficiencies, Ensuring a diverse and
often referred to as Certain groups, such as nutrient-rich diet is key to In some cases,
"hidden hunger," are a young children, pregnant preventing micronutrient micronutrient
significant global health and breastfeeding deficiencies. This can be supplementation or food
challenge. They occur women, and the elderly, achieved through fortification may be
when people lack are particularly vulnerable increased access to and necessary to address
essential vitamins and to micronutrient consumption of a variety specific deficiencies.
minerals in their diets, deficiencies due to their of fruits, vegetables, These interventions can
leading to a range of increased nutritional whole grains, legumes, help bridge the gap when
health issues, including needs. Addressing these and animal-source foods. dietary diversity is limited
anemia, growth stunting, deficiencies is crucial for or when individual needs
and weakened immune promoting overall health are higher.
systems. and well-being.
Measuring Food Utilization
Dietary Diversity
Assessing dietary diversity is a key indicator of food utilization. Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and Food Consumption Score (FCS)
measure the variety of foods consumed, reflecting nutrient adequacy and access to a diverse, nutritious diet.

Micronutrient Status
Analyzing micronutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin A, iron, and zinc, provides insights into the quality of food utilization. Biomarker data and
surveys can identify populations at risk of malnutrition and guide targeted interventions.

Anthropometric Indicators
Measuring anthropometric indicators, like height, weight, and body mass index (BMI), can reveal the physical outcomes of food utilization. These
data points help evaluate the nutritional status of individuals and communities.
Defining the Terms:
Hunger, Malnutrition,
Undernutrition
1 Hunger 2 Malnutrition
The uneasy or painful An imbalance in nutrient
sensation caused by a lack of intake, either deficiencies,
food, or the recurrent and excesses, or imbalances in
involuntary lack of access to the intake of energy, protein,
food. It can lead to and/or other nutrients.
undernutrition and other
health issues.

3 Undernutrition
The outcome of insufficient food intake and repeated infectious
diseases, resulting in underweight, stunting (low height for age),
wasting (low weight for height), and deficiencies of essential
vitamins and minerals.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations (UN) members in
2015, created 17 world Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of these global goals is
"peace and prosperity for people and the planet"
State of Food Security
and Nutrition Report
(SOFI)
1 Coverage Scope 2
Provides global, regional, Includes both rich and
and country-level hunger poor countries in its
estimates. analysis.

3 Frequency
Published annually to track hunger trends worldwide.
Measuring Hunger:
Prevalence of
Undernourishment
Purpose
(PoU)
1
Estimates how many people lack regular access to enough
calories for healthy life.

2 Data
Uses readily available data from most countries worldwide
for calculations.

3 SDG Indicator
Included in 2030 Agenda as SDG Indicator 2.1.1 to monitor
progress.
Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)
Comparability
Purpose
Provides internationally comparable data on food insecurity
Measures food insecurity at different levels of severity. experiences.

1 2 3

Methodology
Uses eight brief survey questions about food-related behaviors
and conditions.
FIES in Sustainable Development Goals
1 SDG Indicator 2 Focus 3 Reporting
Included as SDG Indicator Monitors access to safe, Results published in annual
2.1.2 in the 2030 Agenda. nutritious, and sufficient food State of Food Security and
year-round. Nutrition report.
Levels of Food Insecurity
Moderate Severe
Uncertainty about food Running out of food,
access, reduced quality or potentially going days
quantity of food consumed. without eating.
Global Report on Food
Crises
1 Purpose 2 Frequency
Estimates acute food Published annually to
insecurity in food-crisis track crisis hotspots.
countries.

3 Focus
Provides data on people facing acute food insecurity globally.
Integrated Food Security
Phase Classification (IPC)
1 Purpose
Estimates food insecurity in crisis hotspots over
short term.

2 Focus
Assesses acute and temporary food insecurity
situations.

3 Long-term Impact
Repeated shocks can lead to chronic food insecurity.
 Comparing Measurement
Methods
Method Focus Scope

PoU Chronic hunger Global

FIES Food insecurity Global

IPC/CH Acute food Crisis hotspots

insecurity

Prevalence of undernourishments is the percentage of the population whose habitual food

consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a
normal active and healthy life.
PoU: Measuring Chronic
Hunger
1 Definition 2 Scope
Long-term inability to Measures
meet minimum dietary undernourishment
energy requirements. globally.

3 Reporting
Featured in SOFI report and as SDG indicator 2.1.1.
FIES: Assessing Food
Insecurity Levels
Purpose Coverage
Measures lack of regular Provides global estimates of
access to enough food. food insecurity.

Reporting
Included in SOFI report and as SDG indicator 2.1.2.
IPC: Focusing on Acute
Food Insecurity
1 Scope 2 Coverage
Estimates short-term, Focuses on 58 food crisis
severe food insecurity in countries and territories.
crisis hotspots.

3 Reporting
Featured in the Global Food Crisis Report.
Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS)
The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) is a widely used tool for assessing the degree of food insecurity experienced
by households. It measures access to food, which is a critical dimension of food security, by evaluating a household's anxiety
about food supply, perceptions of insufficient food quality and quantity, and adjustments to household food consumption
patterns.
HFIAS Indicators Description

Anxiety and Uncertainty about Food Supply Measures the household's fear of not having enough food.

Insufficient Quality Assesses the household's perception of the quality and

variety of food consumed.

Insufficient Food Intake Evaluates the household's reported reductions in food

consumption or disruptions to normal eating patterns.

The HFIAS score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater food insecurity. This indicator provides valuable
insights into a household's ability to access adequate food, which is essential for informing targeted interventions and policy
decisions to address food security challenges.
Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS)

12 5 1
Food Groups Score Range Scoring Approach
The HDDS measures the number of The HDDS score ranges from 0 to 12, Each unique food group consumed is
unique food groups consumed by a with a higher score indicating greater counted, leading to a summary score
household over a given period, dietary diversity. that reflects the household's access
typically 24 hours. to a variety of nutrient-rich foods.

The Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) is a widely used indicator for evaluating food security and nutrition at the
household level. By assessing the number of different food groups consumed, the HDDS provides insights into the
quality and diversity of a household's diet, which is closely linked to overall food security and nutritional status.
Food Consumption Score
(FCS)
The Food Consumption Score (FCS) is a comprehensive indicator used
to assess the quality and quantity of a household's food consumption.
It is calculated based on dietary diversity, food frequency, and the
relative nutritional importance of different food groups consumed by
the household in the past 7 days.

The FCS provides insight into a household's access to and utilization

of food, as well as the stability of their food supply. By analyzing the
FCS, researchers and policymakers can identify households at risk of
food insecurity and target interventions to improve their access to a
diverse, nutritious diet.
Global Hunger Trends
1 2019
Global hunger affected 7.5% of the population

2 2021
Sharp rise in hunger due to COVID-19 pandemic

3 2023
Hunger persists at 9.1% of the global population

After a sharp increase from 2019 to 2021, global hunger has remained
at nearly the same level for three consecutive years. In 2023, an
estimated 9.1% of the world's population faced hunger, compared to
7.5% in 2019. This translates to between 713 and 757 million people
potentially facing hunger in 2023, with a mid-range estimate of 733
million - about 152 million more than in 2019.
Regional Hunger Disparities
Africa Asia Latin America and Caribbean

20.4% of population facing hunger 8.1% of population facing hunger 6.2% of population facing hunger

Regional trends in hunger vary considerably. Africa remains the region with the highest proportion of the population
facing hunger at 20.4%. Asia follows at 8.1%, while Latin America and the Caribbean stand at 6.2%. Despite having
a lower percentage, Asia is home to the largest number of hungry people globally, with about 385 million affected.
Africa has nearly 300 million people facing hunger, while Latin America and the Caribbean account for over 40
million.
Projections for 2030
Current Trend
582 million people projected to be chronically undernourished by 2030

Regional Distribution
More than half of undernourished people expected to be in Africa

Comparison to Pre-Pandemic
130 million more undernourished than in pre-COVID-19 scenario

Projections indicate that by 2030, 582 million people will be chronically

undernourished, with more than half of them in Africa. This is about 130 million
more undernourished people than in a scenario reflecting the world economy
before the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the long-term impact of the global
crisis on food security.
Moderate or Severe Food Insecurity
Global Prevalence Severe Food Insecurity Trend
28.9% of the population (2.33 10.7% of the population (864 Prevalence remains above pre-
billion people) faced moderate or million people) faced severe food pandemic levels, with little
severe food insecurity in 2023 insecurity change in four years

The prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity remains above pre-pandemic levels, with little change in four
years. In 2023, an estimated 28.9% of the global population (2.33 billion people) were moderately or severely food
insecure, lacking regular access to adequate food. This includes 10.7% of the population (864 million people) who
faced severe food insecurity, posing grave risks to their health and well-being.
Regional Food Insecurity
Disparities
Region Prevalence of Moderate or
Severe Food Insecurity

Africa 58.0%

Asia 24.8%

Latin America and Caribbean 28.2%

Oceania 26.8%

In 2023, the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in Africa

(58.0%) was nearly double the global average. Asia, Latin America and
the Caribbean, and Oceania had prevalences closer to the global
estimate at 24.8%, 28.2%, and 26.8% respectively. These figures
highlight the significant regional disparities in food security challenges.
Recent Trends in Food Insecurity
1 Africa
Virtually unchanged from 2022 to 2023

2 Asia
Remained stable from 2022 to 2023

3 Latin America
Notable progress occurred from 2022 to 2023

4 Oceania
Worsened from 2022 to 2023

From 2022 to 2023, the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity remained
virtually unchanged in Africa and Asia. Oceania experienced a worsening situation,
while Northern America and Europe saw a slight increase. In contrast, Latin America
made notable progress in reducing food insecurity during this period.
Gender Gap in Food Insecurity
2019-2021
Gender gap widened sharply

2022
Gap began to narrow

2023
Gap continued to shrink

Food insecurity consistently affects women more than men, although the gender
gap has been narrowing. The percentage-point difference in the prevalence of
moderate or severe food insecurity between men and women fell from 3.6 in 2021
to 2.3 in 2022 and narrowed further to 1.3 in 2023. This trend suggests some
progress in addressing gender-based disparities in food security.
Urban-Rural Food Insecurity Divide
Rural Areas Urban Areas Peri-urban Areas

Higher prevalence of food insecurity Lower prevalence of food insecurity Varies by region compared to rural
areas

Globally and in all regions except Northern America and Europe, the prevalence of food insecurity is consistently
higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The situation in peri-urban areas compared to rural areas differs among
regions. This urban-rural divide highlights the need for targeted interventions to address food insecurity in different
geographical contexts.
Africa's Food Security Challenges
1 2015-2023
Continuous rise in hunger

2 2023
Over 1 in 5 people facing hunger

3 Subregional Variations
Increases in most subregions, slight improvements in others

Africa has experienced a steady rise in hunger since 2015, with more than one in
five people facing hunger in 2023. While most subregions saw increases in
hunger from 2022 to 2023, Eastern Africa and Southern Africa showed slight
improvements. Middle Africa had the largest percentage-point increase in
hunger, reaching 30.8% in 2023.
Asia's Food Security Situation
2019-2021
Sharp increase in hunger

2022-2023
Virtually no change

2023
8.1% of population still facing hunger

Asia's hunger trend mirrored the global pattern, with a sharp increase from 2019 to
2021, followed by two years of virtually no change. In 2023, 8.1% of the population
still faced hunger. Progress varied among subregions, with Southern Asia showing
encouraging improvements, while the situation continued to deteriorate in Western
Asia.
Latin America and Caribbean
Progress
1 2019-2021
Increase in hunger from 5.6% to 6.9%

2 2021-2023
Decrease in hunger to 6.2%

3 2023
4.3 million fewer people facing hunger compared to 2021

Latin America and the Caribbean experienced a stronger recovery from the
pandemic-induced rise in hunger. After increasing from 5.6% in 2019 to 6.9% in
2021, the prevalence of undernourishment fell for two consecutive years,
reaching 6.2% in 2023. This represents 4.3 million fewer people facing hunger
compared to 2021, driven mainly by improvements in South America.
Subregional Disparities in Latin America
and Caribbean
Caribbean Central America South America

17.2% prevalence of 5.9% prevalence of 5.2% prevalence of

undernourishment in 2023 undernourishment in 2023 undernourishment in 2023

Despite overall progress in Latin America and the Caribbean, significant subregional disparities persist. The
Caribbean had a much higher prevalence of undernourishment at 17.2% in 2023, more than three times that of
Latin America. Central America saw a slight increase to 5.9%, while South America made the most progress,
reducing undernourishment to 5.2% in 2023.
Humanitarian Crises and
Food Security
Acute Food Insecurity Catastrophe Level
282 million people faced high Over 705,000 people in 5
levels in 59 food-crisis countries/territories faced
countries/territories IPC/CH Phase 5

Most Affected
Gaza Strip, South Sudan, Yemen, Syrian Arab Republic, Haiti

Deepening humanitarian crises have severely eroded food security in many

countries. According to the Global Report on Food Crises 2024, nearly 282
million people faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 59 food-crisis
countries/territories. Over 705,000 people in five countries/territories were
projected to face Catastrophe (IPC/CH Phase 5) levels of acute food
insecurity in 2023, with the Gaza Strip being the most severe food crisis.
The Impact of Hunger and Malnutrition

Health Consequences Economic Impact Psychological Toll

Hunger and malnutrition can lead to The costs of hunger and malnutrition Hunger and malnutrition have severe
stunted growth, weakened immune are staggering, reducing productivity, psychological impacts, including
systems, and increased susceptibility hindering educational attainment, depression, anxiety, and feelings of
to infectious diseases, causing long- and perpetuating the cycle of poverty helplessness, which can further erode
term physical and cognitive in affected communities. individual and community well-being.
impairment.
Role of International
Organizations
FAO United Nations
Leads efforts in global Incorporates hunger metrics
hunger and food insecurity in Sustainable Development
measurements. Goals.

World Food Programme

Uses data to guide emergency food assistance efforts.
 1) Create 4 Teams (each group one region
– Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America)
2) Find countries with highest level of
food insecurity
3) Explain the reasons of food insecurity

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Addressing Hidden Hunger and
Micronutrient Deficiencies
What is Hidden Micronutrient Addressing the Importance of
Hunger? Deficiencies Challenge Monitoring

Hidden hunger refers to Common micronutrient Strategies include food Continuous monitoring
the lack of essential deficiencies include iron, fortification, dietary and evaluation are
vitamins and minerals in a iodine, vitamin A, and diversification, essential to measure
person's diet, even if they zinc. These deficiencies supplementation, and progress and identify gaps
are consuming enough can impair cognitive nutrition-sensitive in addressing hidden
calories. This can lead to development, weaken the agriculture. Targeting the hunger. Data-driven
serious health problems, immune system, and most vulnerable approaches help inform
especially for women and cause other life- populations and policies and programs for
children. threatening conditions. empowering women are maximum impact.
crucial to tackling hidden
hunger.
Tackling Food Deserts
and Food Insecurity
Food deserts, areas lacking access to affordable and nutritious food,
perpetuate cycles of hunger and malnutrition. Addressing this
challenge requires multifaceted solutions to improve food availability,
affordability, and accessibility in underserved communities.

Strategies include incentivizing grocery store development,

supporting urban agriculture, and expanding public transportation to
connect residents with healthy food options. Empowering
communities to take ownership of their food systems is key to
building long-term resilience.
Improving Access to Nutritious Food

Local Food Markets Mobile Food Pantries Nutrition Education

Establishing and promoting access to Deploying mobile food pantries and Providing nutrition education and
local farmers' markets and food delivery services can bring nutritious cooking classes can empower families
cooperatives can bring fresh, foods directly to neighborhoods with to make healthier food choices and
affordable produce to underserved limited access to grocery stores. prepare nutritious meals.
communities.
Overcoming Barriers to Progress
Persistent Poverty Fragile Institutions
Entrenched poverty and lack of economic opportunities remain Weak governance, political instability, and inefficient
major obstacles to achieving food security and improving bureaucracies can hinder the implementation of effective
nutrition. hunger and malnutrition reduction programs.

Inadequate Infrastructure Cultural Barriers

Lack of roads, storage facilities, and distribution networks can Deeply rooted cultural norms and beliefs around food, gender
limit access to nutritious foods, especially in remote and rural roles, and child-rearing practices can be challenging to change.
areas.
Empowering Smallholder Farmer

Access to Seeds and Inputs Training and Extension Services

Ensuring smallholder farmers have Providing smallholder farmers with
reliable access to high-quality seeds, tailored education, skills development,
fertilizers, and other essential and technical assistance to improve
agricultural inputs. their farming practices.

Financial Inclusion Market Linkages

Improving access to credit, savings, Connecting smallholder farmers to
and risk management tools to enable stable and remunerative markets,
smallholder farmers to invest in their reducing their vulnerability to price
operations. fluctuations.
Climate Change and its Impact on Food Securi
Climate change poses a grave threat to global food
security, disrupting agricultural production, supply chains,
and access to nutritious foods. Rising temperatures,
shifting rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events
can devastate crop yields, livestock health, and fisheries.

Vulnerable populations in developing nations are

disproportionately impacted, facing increased risk of
hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity. Urgent action is
needed to build climate-resilient food systems and
protect the world's most food-insecure communities.
Reducing Food Waste and Loss
Tackling Food Waste Improving Storage Promoting Food Educating
and Transport Rescue Consumers
Food waste is a significant
contributor to global Investing in better storage Partnering with food Raising awareness about
hunger. By reducing facilities and banks, soup kitchens, and proper food storage, meal
waste at all stages of the transportation other organizations to planning, and responsible
food supply chain, from infrastructure can help rescue and redistribute consumption habits can
production to preserve food quality and edible surplus food can empower individuals to
consumption, we can prevent spoilage, provide nourishment to reduce food waste in their
make more food available reducing post-harvest vulnerable communities own homes.
to those in need. losses that often impact while reducing waste.
smallholder farmers.
Promoting Dietary
Diversification

Varied Food Groups Local and Seasonal

Encourage consumption of a wide Promote the use of locally-grown,
range of fruits, vegetables, grains, seasonal produce to support small-
proteins, and dairy to ensure a scale farmers and reduce
balanced diet. environmental impact.

Nutrient Density Culinary Skills

Highlight nutrient-dense foods to Provide cooking classes and food
address hidden hunger and preparation education to empower
micronutrient deficiencies. communities to prepare diverse,
healthy meals.
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