BRIDGETOWN- the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in the Caribbean region and the World food programme conducted a survey regarding food security and livelihoods, revealed that 52% of the population of the English-speaking Caribbean or 3.7 million people, remain food insecure. This is a 10% decrease when compared to a survey which was held in August 2022. However, after the pandemic, the cost of living increased which underscored growing financial hardship and challenges.
According to the 2023 Caribbean food security and livelihoods survey, 98% of respondents reported high food prices in the three months prior to the survey, among English-speaking Caribbean countries. This was the highest level reported since the first survey in 2020.
One year prior to the survey, in a region with high vulnerability to climate encounters hazards caused by climate variations where 42% of households were affected. A significant impact in relation to climate sensitivity activities affecting livelihood, such as fisheries and agriculture continues.
The priority of CARICOM and national governments to make food accessible amidst these shocks is important, in this complex socio-economic environment which is vulnerable to climate change.
To improve livelihood opportunities and contributes to achieving affordable food for all, collaboration across agriculture, education, social protection and finance sectors would help.
The cost of living has had a widespread impact on people’s ability to continue to meet food and other needs. People who are engaged in farming or fishing are severely affected, due to the rise in prices of fuel, animal feed and fertilizer.
Throughout the region, food insecurity is having a major effect on the socio-economic welfare of citizens. David Prendergast, Director, Directorate of Single Market and External Trade CARICOM said, the solution for this can only be accomplished through joint regional efforts in the planning and execution of comprehensive sustainable actionable solutions geared towards building resilience against climatic conditions and future market disruptions.
The survey’s results are a reminder of the importance of the region’s agenda to reduce imports by 25% by 2025.
In the Caribbean, it will help to strengthen food systems, which are resilient and adaptive to shocks and build on measures to address the accessibility, affordability and availability of livelihood inputs.
With the support of the European Union, the Government of Canada and the United State Agency for International development, Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance, the survey was completed.
