Food Security and Population-Sahel and Ethiopia

Introduction

1⃣ Q: Which regions are highlighted for food insecurity in this case study?
A: The Sahel Region in West Africa and Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa.

2⃣ Q: What are the main factors contributing to food insecurity in these regions?
A: Recurring droughts, poor agricultural output, and political instability.

3⃣ Q: As of 2023, how many people are facing acute food insecurity in the Sahel and Ethiopia?
A: 25 million in the Sahel and 14 million in Ethiopia (FAO, 2023).

Causes of Food Insecurity

4⃣ Q: How has climate change impacted the Sahel's food security?
A: Rainfall has decreased by 20–30% over the last 50 years, causing desertification.

5⃣ Q: What major drought event heavily impacted Ethiopia's food supply?
A: The 2011 East African drought, affecting 13 million people.

6⃣ Q: What is the population growth rate in Ethiopia, and how does it affect food security?
A: 2.5% per year, increasing the strain on food resources due to higher dependency ratios.

7⃣ Q: What is the expected population growth in the Sahel by 2050?
A: The population is expected to double.

8⃣ Q: How do poor agricultural practices contribute to food insecurity?
A: Slash-and-burn farming, overgrazing, and reliance on rain-fed agriculture degrade soil quality.

9⃣ Q: How have conflict and political instability contributed to food insecurity in the Sahel and Ethiopia?
A: Insurgencies like Boko Haram in the Sahel and the Tigray Conflict (2020–2023) in Ethiopia have disrupted farming and food distribution.

🔟 Q: What percentage of Ethiopians live below the international poverty line?
A: Over 40%, surviving on less than $1.90 per day.

Consequences of Food Insecurity

1⃣1⃣ Q: What is the rate of child malnutrition in Ethiopia?
A: 38% of children under five are stunted due to chronic malnutrition (UNICEF, 2023).

1⃣2⃣ Q: How many children are affected by acute malnutrition annually in the Sahel?
A: Approximately 5.4 million children.

1⃣3⃣ Q: How does food insecurity impact mortality rates in the Sahel?
A: An estimated 200,000 people die annually from hunger-related diseases.

1⃣4⃣ Q: What impact does food insecurity have on migration?
A: It leads to the rise of climate refugees, with mass migrations to urban centers and neighboring countries.

1⃣5⃣ Q: What percentage of Ethiopia's economy is agriculture-based?
A: 42%, making it highly vulnerable to climate shocks and food shortages.

Management Strategies

1⃣6⃣ Q: What major organizations provide food aid in Ethiopia and the Sahel?
A: The World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF.

1⃣7⃣ Q: How much food did the WFP distribute in the Sahel in 2022?
A: 1.2 million metric tons.

1⃣8⃣ Q: What agricultural innovations have been introduced to improve resilience?
A: Drought-resistant maize and sorghum, along with micro-irrigation projects.

1⃣9⃣ Q: What environmental restoration projects are in place?
A: The Great Green Wall Initiative plans to plant 8,000 km of trees across 11 countries in the Sahel.

2⃣0⃣ Q: How does the Great Green Wall Initiative aim to combat desertification?
A: By planting trees to restore degraded land and reduce soil erosion.

2⃣1⃣ Q: What are local community initiatives doing to combat food insecurity?
A: Farmers cooperatives, Food-for-Work programs, and land restoration projects.

2⃣2⃣ Q: What political strategies have been implemented to stabilize food security?
A: Efforts include peace negotiations in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and local ceasefires.

Evaluation of Effectiveness

2⃣3⃣ Q: How effective has food aid been in preventing famine?
A: It has averted mass starvation but remains a short-term solution dependent on international donors.

2⃣4⃣ Q: What percentage of Ethiopia's food aid comes from international donors?
A: 80%, reflecting high dependency.

2⃣5⃣ Q: Have micro-irrigation and drought-resistant crops significantly improved food security?
A: They have improved resilience for some communities but are limited in scope.

2⃣6⃣ Q: What environmental initiatives have shown promise in the Sahel?
A: The Great Green Wall has restored 18 million hectares of land, though progress is slow.

2⃣7⃣ Q: What remains a significant barrier to food security despite environmental efforts?
A: Conflict and political instability continue to disrupt farming and food distribution.

Conclusion

2⃣8⃣ Q: What are the primary causes of food insecurity in Ethiopia and the Sahel?
A: Climate change, conflict, poor farming practices, and population growth.

2⃣9⃣ Q: What sustainable strategies are crucial for long-term food security?
A: Resilience building, environmental restoration, and community empowerment.

3⃣0⃣ Q: What are the key steps to achieving long-term food security?
A: Establishing political stability, modernizing agriculture, and improving infrastructure investment.