‘The fight against hunger can only be won if the world stands shoulder to shoulder’
Ralf Sanftenberg is Director of the Rural Development and Agriculture Division at GIZ. In our interview, he explains how international cooperation contributes to food security worldwide.
On World Food Day, we take a look at the UN’s sustainable development goal of Zero Hunger (SDG2) – the international community’s commitment to ending hunger in the world. What is GIZ’s contribution to that goal?
We support sustainable agriculture worldwide, promote the conservation of natural resources and help make people’s diets healthier. Through our work, we have mitigated hunger and malnutrition for a total of 2.9 million people. But we can’t overcome the challenges alone; we need global alliances and strong partnerships. For example, we work closely with the European Union and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Where is the global community today with regard to achieving SDG2?
After the sustainable development goals (SDGs) were agreed, the number of people suffering from hunger fell initially, but it has since risen again. According to the current Global Hunger Index, published by Welthungerhilfe and others, 673 million people are currently experiencing hunger. Added to this are almost 2.6 billion people worldwide who cannot afford healthy food.
What are the specific challenges?
The main causes of hunger are economic crises, climate change and conflict. These are closely interlinked with the question of food security. Agriculture, for example, is one of the most significant producers of greenhouse gases and a massive contributor to climate change. At the same time, climate change is a threat to agriculture – for instance through rising temperatures – and thus to food security. We can therefore solve the problem of hunger only if we address it in conjunction with its causes. To do this, we need joined-up thinking and cross-sectoral approaches.
How are forced displacement and hunger connected, and how does GIZ link these up in its work?
Conflicts are a major accelerator of hunger and at the same time one of the main causes of displacement. Conversely, hunger and food scarcity also cause conflicts, which in turn lead to displacement. So the problems are mutually reinforcing. On the one hand we support displaced people, including their food security. On the other, we contribute to reducing the causes of displacement by promoting rural development. In most of our partner countries, agriculture is one of the most important economic sectors. By investing in resource-friendly, sustainable cultivation, we are not just improving food security but also promoting employment and incomes. That creates better prospects for local people.
How is combating hunger worldwide relevant to Germany?
Many agricultural commodities that we use in Germany, such as coffee, cocoa and palm oil, come to us from our partner countries via global supply chains. We actively support sustainable supply chains and thus contribute to securing supplies for Germany. What is more, our work on food security and rural development ensures more stable living conditions in our partner countries. That’s also in the interests of Germany and Europe. One thing’s clear: the fight against hunger can only be won if the world stands shoulder to shoulder.
