Course: Agriculture and Food Security in Crisis-Affected Regions (4903-511)

Persons:

• Prof. Dr. Regina Birner (verantwortlich)

Type of Course:

lecture

In-Class Hours Per Week:

4

Contents:

A large share of world?s poor and food-insecure people live in regions that are affected by crises, including men-made crises such as civil wars and insurgencies, as well as crises caused by natural disasters, such as floods, droughts and earthquakes. Ensuring food security and promoting agriculture in regions that are affected by such crises is major challenge. During a crisis, the problem is to deliver humanitarian assistance, including food aid, often under circumstances that are dangerous and logistically difficult. After a crisis, it is essential to invest in the rehabilitation of agricultural and food systems and to manage the transition to the long-term development of these systems. To reduce the vulnerability of affected populations, there is also a need to develop disaster risk reduction and preparedness strategies, and?in case of conflicts?to promote peace-building activities.
International and bilateral development organizations that focus on food and agriculture dedicate an increasing share of their activities on emergency operations and post-emergency reconstruction. This is well reflected in both the budgets and the staff numbers dedicated to this area. For example, the Emergency Operations and Rehabilitation Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has gained increasing importance during the past decade. Likewise, there is a considerable number of bilateral and international organizations that specifically focus on disaster relief, ranging from the World Food Program with its global mandate to small-scale NGOs and faith-based organizations.
Against this background, agricultural experts can increase their career prospects in the field of international development if they acquire a specific expertise on how to promote agriculture and food security in crisis-affected regions. The proposed module aims to provide this expertise.

Location:

Hohenheim

Module:

• 4903-510 Agriculture and Food Security in Crisis-Affected Regions (compulsory)