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Sustainable development

Guinea-Bissau and WFP Launch Five-Year Plan to Achieve Food Security and Improved Nutrition

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Government of Guinea-Bissau and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have unveiled a new five-year Country Strategic Plan aimed at enhancing food security and improving nutrition in the West African nation. The plan, launched in collaboration with the government, focuses on building resilience to climate change, strengthening livelihoods, and supporting the establishment of a social protection system. Guinea-Bissau, according to the 2022 Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Country Index, is the third most vulnerable country in the world to climate change, with climate shocks significantly impacting the country's food production and delivery networks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Country Strategic Plan focuses on helping rural communities build resilience to climate change and strengthen livelihoods while supporting the government's efforts to establish a social protection system.
  • The plan is aligned with the government's National Development Plan (2020-2023) and the National Strategy for Development, Employment, and Industrial Promotion 2020-2024 (Hora Tchiga).
  • WFP will implement a set of integrated activities to reduce undernutrition, increase access to education, and safe and nutritious food.
  • The plan aims to support and purchase beans and tubers from smallholder farmers to feed schoolchildren, stimulating local agricultural production.
  • The strategic plan has been developed in consultation with the government and other key stakeholders.
  • An estimated 108,000 people were unable to meet their basic food and nutrition needs in the fourth quarter of 2022, a 1.7 percent increase from the same period in 2021.
  • The number is projected to increase to 117,000 people suffering from hunger between June and August 2023 unless urgent action is taken to address the key drivers of food security.
  • Joao Manja, WFP's Country Director in Guinea-Bissau, noted that progress has been made toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • The plan has been approved by the WFP Executive Board in Rome, Italy, and came into effect in January 2023.

Statistics:

  • Guinea-Bissau is the third most vulnerable country in the world to climate change, according to the 2022 Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Country Index.
  • An estimated 108,000 people were unable to meet their basic food and nutrition needs in the fourth quarter of 2022, a 1.7 percent increase from the same period in 2021.
  • The number is projected to increase to 117,000 people suffering from hunger between June and August 2023 unless urgent action is taken.
  • The Country Strategic Plan has been approved by the WFP Executive Board in Rome, Italy, and came into effect in January 2023.

Sources:

  • WFP's Country Strategic Plan for Guinea-Bissau, approved in November 2022 by WFP Executive Board in Rome, Italy.
  • 2022 Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Country Index.
  • Cadre Harmonis food security analysis, citing an estimated 108,000 people unable to meet their basic food and nutrition needs in the fourth quarter of 2022.
  • Government of Guinea-Bissau and WFP joint statement, citing progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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