For many of the poorest residents of Subarnabad, a village in rural Bangladesh, lackof money to meet basic needs is related to the environmental changes that have been occurring during the last 25 to 30 years. The authors describe the local vulnerabilities to environmental change such as saltwater intrusion and shrimp farm introduction in rural Bangladesh.

By addressing local vulnerabilities and concerns, and building capacities in a broad sense, the authors argue that these initiatives can p more...

This paper presents an overview of the biodiesel sector in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) in light of increased trade liberalisation with its key trade partners. It explores the potential positive and negative environmental effects of trade liberalisation in this sector.

The author highlights environmental impacts that should be considered in trade negotiations and emphasises the positive impacts of biodiesel from plants like Jatropha, such as the reduction of the country’s depend more...

In today's world, access to food is highly, and unacceptably, uneven. There is massive overproduction and over-consumption, yet millions experience scarcity and hunger. This book looks at some of the forces and rules shaping the food system and who has control over it.

In particular, the book focuses on rules on intellectual property – for example patents, plant breeders' rights, trademarks and copyright – and their relations to other rules on biodiversity, an essential requirement for fo more...

Like many poor Filipino families, Boyet and Milagros Navarro and their five children get by on just over US$2 a day. Boyet works as a welder in Baguio City on the northern island of Luzon and his wife is a part-time farm helper.

According to the 2006 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, the latest conducted by the country’s National Statistics Office, 68 million of the country's 90 million inhabitants live on or under US$2 a day.

The same survey shows that for every $2.40 in daily earni more...

On 9 March, WFP started general food distributions (GFD) within the framework of the food price mitigation programme in Kabul. The GFD was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock and WFP's Country Director. Approximately, 20,000 beneficiaries affected by a surge of food prices in urban area of Kabul city have received the food assistance, which will soon be extended to other provinces in the country.

Afghan refugees in Pakistan have reportedly been retu more...

Food Security is the condition in which everyone has access to sufficient and affordable food. Ten million hunger-related deaths every year, half of them children, testify to our failure to achieve global food security. Over 850 million people remain trapped in the spiral of hardship that hunger imposes, a figure which continues to rise even amidst the riches of the 21st century. As developing countries grapple with the complexities of biotechnology and the alarming impact of climate change, it more...

Ensuring that people have access to adequate food and safe water is essential for protecting the safety, health and well-being of refugees and other populations of concern. For this reason, UNHCR strives to improve the nutritional status of all the people it serves – mostly women and children. Where there is freedom from hunger and malnutrition, there is also hope for a better future.

The right to freedom from hunger and malnutrition is backed by international conventions. Article 24 of the more...

In Global Risks 2008, the Global Risk Network has
focused on four emerging issues which may
fundamentally shape not only the year ahead, but
the decades to come. These issues – systemic
financial risk, food security, supply chains and the
role of energy – are all central to the functioning of
the world economy and to the well-being of global
society. The risks associated with them cannot be
eliminated. But they can be better understood and
better managed.
Systemic financial risk is more...

Rising rice prices are threatening Cambodia's poor despite the country's economic progress.

New buildings are shooting up all over Phnom Penh, modern shopping malls are opening, and more and more cars are crowding the streets of the capital city as the country’s economy continues to grow.

But even in the capital there are numerous street children and families who have to scavenge and beg to make ends meet.

In Cambodia's rural areas the situation is even worse.

"It is absolutely app more...

Extreme winter temperatures, depleting food and fuel stocks, increasing prices, prolonged blackouts at the local
and national levels and limited access to water has pushed almost the entire population of Tajikistan into a
situation of humanitarian concern. While the current energy crisis, and an expected nationwide electricity
blackout beginning in mid-February 2008, predominantly affects urban populations, a series of economic and
environmental shocks over the last two years, compounded by more...