SDG 2 (Sustainable Development

Goals) on Zero hunger focusing on

The Horn of Africa

By
Dhurgesh M
C.A.I.E. VI A

Contents
 Introduction
 Who helps and how do they help on zero hunger
 What techniques does United Nations uses on zero
hunger
 Discussing the specific issues and solutions related
to SDG:
: Conflict and peace
: Climate change and resilience
: Locust invasion and pest control
: COVID-19 pandemic and recovery
: Poverty and development
 Conclusion
 Acknowledgement
 Reference

Introduction
Hunger and malnutrition are major global problems
that affect millions of people, especially in developing
regions like Africa. According to the United Nations,
there are around 690 million people who are hungry in
the world, and the Horn of Africa accounts for a large
proportion of them. The Horn of Africa is a region of
eastern Africa that includes the countries of Djibouti,
Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

The Horn of Africa has been facing protracted armed

conflict, severe food crises and large-scale displacement
for several decades. The main causes of hunger and food
insecurity in the Horn of Africa are conflict, climate
shocks, locust invasion, COVID-19 pandemic, and
poverty. The Horn of Africa needs urgent humanitarian
assistance, as well as long-term development
interventions, to address the root causes of hunger and
malnutrition.

Who helps and how do they help on

zero hunger
In the pursuit of achieving zero hunger in the Horn of
Africa, a concerted effort is orchestrated by various
entities spanning international organizations, non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), governments, and
grassroots initiatives. Central to this endeavour is the
active involvement of esteemed organizations such as
the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO). These entities play a
pivotal role in addressing immediate food needs by
providing essential food aid to vulnerable populations
affected by hunger and famine in the region.

Non-governmental organizations, exemplified by

Oxfam and CARE, are instrumental partners in the fight
against hunger. These NGOs contribute significantly to
the implementation of sustainable development projects
that aim to uplift communities by enhancing
agricultural practices, improving water resource
management, and building resilience to the adverse
impacts of climate change. Oxfam, for instance, focuses
on promoting food security through initiatives that
empower small-scale farmers, advocating for policy
changes that support sustainable agriculture, and
addressing underlying socio-economic factors
contributing to hunger.

Collaboration with governments, both within the Horn

of Africa region and globally, is paramount.
Governments contribute to the zero-hunger agenda
through foreign aid, policy support, and coordinated
efforts to enhance agricultural productivity.
International cooperation ensures a holistic approach,
leveraging resources and expertise to tackle the complex
and interconnected issues underlying food insecurity.

Local community-based organizations form an integral

part of the solution. These grassroots initiatives
understand the nuanced challenges faced by
communities in the Horn of Africa and implement
context-specific interventions. They play a crucial role in
educating and empowering communities with the
knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable food
production and improved nutritional practices.

The multifaceted approach to zero” unge in the Horn of

Africa encompasses not only immediate relief efforts but
also long-term strategies. Educational programs are
designed to enhance agricultural practices, promote
efficient water management, and bolster community
resilience to climate-induced shocks. These programs
aim to break the cycle of hunger by equipping
communities with the tools they need to become self-
sufficient in food production.
In essence, the collective efforts of international
organizations, NGOs, governments, and local initiatives
form a synergistic alliance against hunger in the Horn of
Africa. This collaborative approach recognizes the
complexity of the challenge and strives to address it
comprehensively, weaving together short-term relief
measures and sustainable, community-driven solutions.
Through this concerted effort, the goal of achieving zero
hunger in the Horn of Africa becomes not just an
aspiration but a tangible and achievable reality.

What techniques does United

Nations uses on zero hunger

The United Nations (UN) employs a range of techniques

and strategies in its efforts to address zero hunger in the
Horn of Africa. These techniques are designed to
provide both immediate relief and long-term sustainable
solutions. Some key approaches include:

 Food Aid and Distribution: The UN, through

agencies like the World Food Programme (WFP),
provides emergency food aid to populations facing
acute hunger. This includes the distribution of
staple foods and nutritional supplements to those
in need.

 Nutrition Programs: The UN implements nutrition-

focused initiatives to address malnutrition,
especially in vulnerable groups such as children
and pregnant women. This includes providing
fortified foods, nutritional education, and support
for breastfeeding.

 Agricultural Development: Sustainable agriculture

is crucial for long-term food security. The UN
supports agricultural development projects in the
Horn of Africa, focusing on improving farming
techniques, introducing drought-resistant crops,
and promoting sustainable land management
practices.

 Water Management: Adequate water supply is

vital for agriculture. UN initiatives often include
 projects related to water resource management,
such as the construction of water wells, irrigation
systems, and water conservation practices to
enhance agricultural productivity.

 Climate Resilience: Given the susceptibility of the

Horn of Africa to climate change, the UN
emphasizes climate-resilient practices. This
involves promoting agricultural techniques that
can withstand erratic weather patterns, as well as
providing early warning systems for droughts and
other climate-related challenges.

 Capacity Building: The UN invests in building the

capacity of local communities and institutions. This
includes training farmers in modern and
sustainable agricultural practices, educating
communities about nutrition, and empowering
local organizations to take a leading role in
addressing food security issues.

 Policy Advocacy: The UN engages with

governments and other stakeholders to advocate
for policies that promote food security and poverty
reduction. This includes encouraging policies that
support small-scale farmers, address land tenure
issues, and foster a conducive environment for
sustainable agriculture.
  Data and Monitoring: The UN utilizes data and
monitoring systems to assess the food security
situation in the region. This enables informed
decision-making and allows for timely responses to
emerging challenges.

By employing these techniques, the United Nations aims

to comprehensively tackle the root causes of hunger in
the Horn of Africa and work towards sustainable
solutions that empower communities and build
resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.

Discussing the specific issues and

solutions related to SDG:
 Conflict and peace
Conflict and peace are crucial issues for achieving SDG
2 in the Horn of Africa, as they affect the food security
and nutrition of millions of people in the region. The
region has been plagued by various conflicts, such as the
border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the civil
war in Somalia, the political instability and ethnic
violence in Ethiopia, and the regional rivalry and
intervention among Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, and
Kenya. These conflicts have disrupted food production,
distribution, and access, as well as caused displacement,
violence, and human rights violations.

To promote peace and stability in the region, the African

Union, the United Nations, and other international and
regional actors have been supporting peacekeeping and
mediation initiatives, humanitarian and development
assistance, and dialogue and cooperation among the
countries in the Horn of Africa. Peace and security are
essential for achieving SDG 2 in the Horn of Africa, as
they can enable the restoration of livelihoods, the
delivery of humanitarian aid, and the promotion of
sustainable development.

 Climate change and resilience

 Climate change and resilience are important issues for

achieving SDG 2, which aims to end hunger and
malnutrition, and ensure food security and sustainable
agriculture for all by 2030.
 Climate change is caused by human activities that increase
greenhouse gas emissions, which lead to global warming
and its impacts, such as extreme and changing weather
patterns and rising sea levels.
 Climate change can reduce crop yields, increase pests and
diseases, degrade land and water resources, and increase
the risk of droughts, floods, and storms.
 Resilience is the ability of people and ecosystems to cope
with and adapt to the effects of climate change, and to
recover from shocks and stresses.
 Resilience can be enhanced by implementing measures
such as renewable energy, sustainable land management,
disaster risk reduction, and social protection.
 Climate change and resilience are interlinked, as reducing
emissions can prevent further climate change, and
increasing resilience can reduce the vulnerability and
exposure to climate change.
 Achieving SDG 2 in the Horn of Africa requires urgent
and transformative actions to address climate change and
resilience, and to integrate them into national policies,
strategies, and planning.
 It also requires improving education, awareness, and
capacity on climate change and resilience, and mobilizing
financial and technical support from the international
community.

United Nations
 •Locust invasion and pest control

Locust invasion and pest control are relevant issues for

achieving SDG 2 in the Horn of Africa, as they affect the
food production and livelihoods of millions of people in
the region. Locusts are migratory insects that can form
large swarms and devour crops and pastures, causing
severe damage and losses. Locusts can also spread
diseases and contaminate water sources, posing health
risks to humans and animals. The Horn of Africa
experienced one of the worst desert locust outbreaks in
decades in 2019-2021, triggered by favourable weather
and climatic conditions, such as heavy rains and
cyclones. The outbreak affected Ethiopia, Kenya,
Somalia, Sudan, and other neighbouring countries. The
desert locust swarms covered vast areas and threatened
the food security and nutrition of more than 35 million
people in the Horn of Africa. The swarms also disrupted
the agricultural and pastoral activities and income of
millions of farmers and herders in the region.

The control operations against the desert locusts

involved the use of large amounts of insecticides,
mainly organophosphates and pyrethroids, which are
broad-spectrum and highly toxic chemicals. These
insecticides posed environmental and health hazards,
such as killing beneficial insects, polluting water and
soil, and affecting human and animal health. The
insecticide uses against the desert locusts also had
negative impacts on the honey sector, which is an
important source of income and food for many people
in the Horn of Africa. The insecticides killed or
displaced billions of honey bees, reducing honey
production and pollination services.
Some of the main solutions and opportunities related to
locust invasion and pest control in the Horn of Africa
are:
 The use of early warning systems, surveillance, and
coordination among the affected countries and the
international community, such as the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO), to monitor and
forecast the locust situation and plan the control
operations. The use of satellite imagery, drones,
mobile phones, and citizen science can enhance the
data collection and analysis on the locust
movements and impacts.
  The use of integrated pest management (IPM)
approaches, which combine different methods of
locust control, such as biological, mechanical, and
chemical, to reduce the reliance on insecticides and
minimize the environmental and health risks. The
use of biopesticides, such as fungi and bacteria, can
offer an eco-friendlier and selective alternative to
synthetic insecticides.

 The use of innovative and sustainable technologies,

such as solar-powered fences, bioacoustics devices,
and artificial intelligence, to deter, trap, and kill the
locusts, or to convert them into useful products,
such as animal feed and fertilizer.

 COVID-19 pandemic and recovery

Zero hunger is one of the most important goals for the
Horn of Africa, a region that has been facing chronic
food insecurity and malnutrition for decades. The
COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation, as it
has disrupted the food systems, reduced the income and
purchased power of the poor, and increased the
humanitarian needs of the vulnerable populations.
Some of the specific issues and solutions related to SDG
2 on zero hunger in the Horn of Africa are:
 Issue: The Horn of Africa is home to the largest
number of people suffering from acute food
 insecurity in the world, with more than 35 million
people in need of urgent assistance in 2021. The
main drivers of food insecurity in the region are
conflict, displacement, climate shocks, desert locust
invasion, and the socio-economic impact of COVID-
19.
 Solution: The humanitarian community has been
providing life-saving food assistance to the most
affected people in the region, especially in Ethiopia,
Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan. However, more
funding and coordination are needed to scale up
the response and prevent famine in some areas.
Moreover, longer-term interventions are required to
address the root causes of food insecurity and build
the resilience of the communities.
 Issue: The Horn of Africa has the highest
prevalence of stunting among children under five
years old in the world, with 34% of them suffering
from chronic malnutrition in 2020. Stunting has
long-term consequences for the physical and
cognitive development of children, as well as for
their health, education, and productivity in
adulthood. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased
the risk of malnutrition among children, as it has
reduced their access to nutritious food, health
services, and safe water and sanitation.
 Solution: The United Nations and its partners have
been supporting the prevention and treatment of
malnutrition among children and pregnant and
 lactating women in the Horn of Africa, through the
provision of specialized nutritious foods,
micronutrient supplements, and therapeutic
feeding. Additionally, the promotion of optimal
infant and young child feeding practices, the
improvement of maternal nutrition, and the
integration of nutrition into health, education, and
social protection systems are essential to reduce
stunting and improve child survival and
development.
 Issue: The Horn of Africa is one of the most
vulnerable regions to the effects of climate change,
such as droughts, floods, and desertification, which
threaten the food security and livelihoods of
millions of people who depend on agriculture. The
COVID-19 pandemic has added more pressure on
the natural resources and the environment, as it has
increased the demand for fuelwood, water, and
land, and reduced the capacity of the governments
and the communities to cope with the climate
shocks.
 Solution: The United Nations and its partners have
been supporting the implementation of climate-
resilient and sustainable agricultural practices in
the Horn of Africa, such as the use of drought-
tolerant crops and seeds, the adoption of water
harvesting and irrigation techniques, the restoration
of degraded lands, and the diversification of
income sources. Furthermore, the enhancement of
 early warning and disaster risk reduction systems,
the strengthening of regional cooperation and
coordination, and the mobilization of climate
finance are crucial to mitigate and adapt to the
impacts of climate change.

 Poverty and development

One of the specific issues related to SDG 2 on zero
hunger in the Horn of Africa is poverty and
development. Poverty is both a cause and a consequence
of hunger, as it limits the ability of people to access
adequate food, health, education, and other basic
services. Development is a key factor for reducing
poverty and improving food security, as it can create
more opportunities for income generation, social
protection, and human capital. However, the Horn of
Africa faces many challenges for achieving sustainable
development, such as conflict, instability, governance,
corruption, inequality, and environmental degradation.
Some of the possible solutions for addressing the issue
of poverty and development in relation to zero hunger
in the Horn of Africa are:
 Promoting inclusive and equitable economic
growth, especially in the rural areas where most of
the poor and hungry people live. This can be done
by investing in infrastructure, technology,
innovation, and entrepreneurship, as well as
supporting small-scale farmers, women, youth, and
marginalized groups.

 Enhancing social protection systems and safety

nets, such as cash transfers, food vouchers, school
feeding programs, and social pensions, that can
help the poor and vulnerable cope with shocks and
risks, and improve their access to food and
nutrition.

 Strengthening the capacity and accountability of the

governments and the civil society to deliver quality
public services, such as health, education, water,
and sanitation, that can improve the well-being and
productivity of the people, and reduce the
inequalities and discrimination that fuel hunger
and poverty.
  Fostering regional integration and cooperation,
such as the Horn of Africa Initiative, that can
facilitate the exchange of knowledge, resources, and
best practices, and address the common challenges
and opportunities for development, such as trade,
migration, security, and climate change.

Conclusion
The Horn of Africa is a region that faces multiple and
interrelated challenges for achieving zero hunger by
2030, such as poverty, conflict, climate change, and
COVID-19. These challenges have resulted in
widespread food insecurity, malnutrition, and
humanitarian crises, affecting millions of people,
especially children, women, and displaced populations.

To address these challenges, the international

community, the regional organizations, and the national
governments have been implementing various
interventions, such as providing emergency food
assistance, supporting climate-resilient and sustainable
agriculture, enhancing social protection and safety nets,
and strengthening governance and accountability.

However, more efforts and resources are needed to scale

up the response, prevent famine, and build the
resilience and development of the region. Achieving
zero hunger in the Horn of Africa is not only a moral
obligation, but also a strategic opportunity, as it can
contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity for the
region and the world.

Acknowledgement
I express my gratitude to Mr. Allan who have helped
me in carrying out this research work and fruitfully
completing it.

Reference

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Thank you