The fourth report by the Commitee on World Food Security’s (CFS) High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) is now released, where it emphasizes on ways to lessen vulnerability through social and productive safety net programmes and policies.
Social protection has recently been receiving much attention in the development policy agenda in relation to food insecurity. In the report food insecurity and social protection are defined as “…both the inability to secure an adequate diet today and the risk of being unable to do so in the future. Social protection is a menu of policy instruments that addresses poverty and vulnerability, through social assistance, social insurance and efforts at social inclusion.” The report points out the importance of acknowledging both intra-generational and inter-generational social protection measures to ensure food security for all and forever.
The HLPE hopes “that this Report will stimulate not only lively discussion at the forthcoming CFS meeting, but will also help national governments to formulate and implement social protection measures against hunger based on a “rights” approach on a Food Security Floor Platform.”