unep background guide

7/31/2019 UNEP Background Guide

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UNEP


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Table of Contents

Letter from the Executive Board.......3Agenda.......................................4Committee Background ...........520072008 World Food Crisis........6Rising Prices...................6Projections.... .7Crop Shortfall from natural disasters..... ......8Effect Of Food Crisis On Nations....... ..9

Brazil.................................................................. ............9Haiti...............................................................................9India............................................................................10Pakistan......................................................................10Russia.........................................................................10Somalia.......................................................................10

Agencies Involved......11Points To Consider...............13


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Dear Delegates,

Welcome to the United Nations Environment Programme of the

JK Model United Nations Conference 2012. My name isShubham Khanna and I am honoured to be Chairing the UNEP

at JKMUN '12. Priyal Mahatta will be your Director. Your

Executive Board remains committed to ensuring a fruitful

experience for all participants. At JKMUN 12, we will be followingthe rules of procedure of The United Nations Environment

Programme. This background guide is intended to steer you in

the right direction as you prepare for the upcoming conference.

It covers all the salient features, highlights the key issues to be

addressed and also gives several lines of research to pursue. We

hope that, in the process of preparing for this conference, you

develop a more profound understanding of food problems and its

crisis in the modern world. A brief introduction has been

provided for the topics which are expected to be discussed in the

committee, but other topics are also welcome in the discussion.

Apart from all this, we expect you all to be well aware of the debt

condition in your country. Hard Copy of various documents

should be available at hand which will help in providing a strongsupport to your comments and proofs to your claims. During the

committee, we expect you to come up with lively suggestions

which can be implemented for the betterment of the human race.

Note:The Background Guide is just for reference and is strictly not to be used as a proof oras a document for the conference.

With this we wish you the All The Best for the Conference!

Executive Board, JKMUN 12, UNEP ~

Shubham Khanna Priyal Mahatta

(Chairperson) (Director)


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The adopted agenda drawn up by the Executive Board of the UNEP

and approved by the Secretary General shall be-

Inefficiencies in Food Production,

Supply and Distribution during times of

disasters


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Committee Background

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is an

international institution (a programme, rather than an agency of theUN) that coordinates United Nations environmental activities,assisting developing countries in implementing environmentallysound policies and practices. It was founded as a result of the United

Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and hasits headquarters in the Gigiri neighborhood of Nairobi, Kenya. UNEPalso has six regional offices and various country offices.

Its activities cover a wide range of issues regarding the atmosphere,marine and terrestrial ecosystems, environmental governance andgreen economy. It has played a significant role in developinginternational environmental conventions, promoting environmentalscience and information and illustrating the way those can beimplemented in conjunction with policy, working on the developmentand implementation of policy with national governments, regional

institutions in conjunction with environmental Non-GovernmentalOrganizations (NGOs). UNEP has also been active in funding andimplementing environment related development projects.

UNEP has aided in the formulation of guidelines and treaties onissues such as the international trade in potentially harmfulchemicals, transboundary air pollution, and contamination of

international waterways.The World Meteorological Organization and UNEP established the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. UNEPis also one of several Implementing Agencies for the GlobalEnvironment Facility (GEF) and the Multilateral Fund for the

Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, and it is also a member ofthe United Nations Development Group.


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20072008 World Food Crisis

World food prices increased dramatically in 2007 and the 1st and 2ndquarter of 2008 creating a global crisis and causing political andeconomical instability and social unrest in both poor and developednations. Although the media spotlight focused on the riots that ensuedin the face of high prices, the ongoing crisis of food insecurity hasbeen years in the making. Systemic causes for the worldwideincreases in food prices continue to be the subject of debate. After

peaking in the second quarter of 2008 prices fell dramatically duringthe Late-2000s recession but increased during 2009 and 2010,

peaking again in early 2011 at a level sightly higher than the levelreached in 2008. However a repeat of the crisis of 2008 is notanticipated due to ample stockpiles.

Initial causes of the late-2006 price spikes includeddroughts ingrain-producing nations and rising oil prices. Oil price increases alsocaused general escalations in the costs offertilizers, foodtransportation, andindustrial agriculture. Root causes may be theincreasing use ofbiofuels in developed countries (see also food vs

fuel), and an increasing demand for a more varied diet across theexpanding middle-class populations of Asia.

These factors, coupled with falling world-food stockpiles allcontributed to the worldwide rise in food prices.

Rising prices

From the beginning of 2007 to early 2008, the prices of some of the

most basic international food commodities increased dramatically oninternational markets. The international market price of wheatdoubled from February 2007 to February 2008 hitting a record highof over US$10 a bushel. Rice prices also reached ten year highs. Insome nations, milk and meat prices more than doubled,while soy (which hit a 34 year high price in December 2007) andmaize prices have increased dramatically.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_crisishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late-2000s_recessionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droughthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000s_energy_crisishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developed_countryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_vs_fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_vs_fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_vs_fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_vs_fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developed_countryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000s_energy_crisishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droughthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late-2000s_recessionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_crisis


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Total food import bills rose by an estimated 25% for developingcountries in 2007. Researchers from the Overseas Development

Institute have suggested this problem will be worsened by a likely fall

in food aid. As food aid is programmed by budget rather than volume,rising food prices mean that the World Food Programme (WFP)needs an extra $500 million just to sustain the current operations.

To ensure that food remains available for their domestic populationsand to combat dramatic price inflation, major rice exporters, such asChina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia andEgypt,imposed strict export bans on rice. Conversely, several other nations,

including Argentina, Ukraine, Russia, andSerbia either imposed hightariffs or blocked the export of wheat and other foodstuffs altogether,driving up prices still further for net food importing nations whiletrying to isolate their internal markets. North Korea suffered from the

food crisis to such extent that a North Korean official was quoted inJune '08 with saying "Life is more than difficult. It seems thateveryone is going to die". This nation however is solely relying on

food assistance to cope with the crisis

Projections

The UN (FAO) released a study in December 2007 projecting a 49percent increase in African cereal prices, and 53 percent in Europeanprices, through July 2008. In April 2008, the World Bank, incombination with the International Monetary Fund, announced a

series of measures aimed at mitigating the crisis, including increasedloans to African farmers and emergency monetary aid to badlyaffected areas such as Haiti. According to FAO directorJacques

Diouf, however, the World Food Programme needs an immediatecash injection of at least $1700 million, far more than the tens ofmillion-worth in measures already pledged. On 28 April 2008, theUnited Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon established a TaskForce on the Global Food Security Crisis under his chairmanship and

composed of the heads of the United Nations specialized agencies,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_Development_Institutehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_Development_Institutehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Food_Programmehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Koreahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAOhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Bankhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Monetary_Fundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Dioufhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Dioufhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Food_Programmehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ban_Ki-moonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ban_Ki-moonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Food_Programmehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Dioufhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Dioufhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Monetary_Fundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Bankhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAOhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Koreahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Food_Programmehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_Development_Institutehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_Development_Institute


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funds and programmes, Bretton Woods institutions and relevant partsof the UN Secretariat to co-ordinate efforts to alleviate the crisis.

Crop shortfalls from natural disasters

Several distinct weather- and climate-related incidents have causeddisruptions in crop production. Perhaps the most influential isthe extended drought in Australia, in particular the fertile Murray-

Darling Basin, which produces large amounts of wheat and rice. Thedrought has caused the annual rice harvest to fall by as much as 98%

from pre-drought levels.

Australia is historically the second-largest exporter of wheat after theUnited States, producing up to 25 million tons in a good year, the vastmajority for export. However, the 2006 harvest was 9.8 million. Otherevents that have negatively affected the price of food include the 2006heat wave in California's San Joaquin Valley, which killed largenumbers of farm animals, and unseasonable 2008 rains in Kerala,

India, which destroyed swathes of grain. Scientists have stated thatseveral of these incidents are consistent with the predicted effects

ofclimate change.The effects ofCyclone Nargis on Burma in May 2008 caused a spikein the price of rice. Burma has historically been a rice exporter,though yields have fallen as governmentprice controls have reducedincentives for farmers. The storm surge inundated rice paddies up to30 miles (48 km) inland in the Irrawaddy Delta, raising concern thatthe salt could make the fields infertile. The FAO had previouslyestimated that Burma would export up to 600,000 tons of rice in 2008,

but concerns were raised in the cyclone's aftermath that Burma maybe forced to import rice for the first time, putting further upward

pressure on global rice prices.

Stem rustreappeared in 1998 in Uganda (and possibly earlier inKenya) with the particularly virulentUG99 fungus. Unlike otherrusts, which only partially affect crop yields, UG99 can bring 100%crop loss. Up to 80% yield losses were recently recorded in Kenya.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drought_in_Australia#Rainfall_deficiencies_in_2006http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray-Darling_Basinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray-Darling_Basinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_North_American_heat_wavehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_North_American_heat_wavehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Joaquin_Valleyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keralahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_changehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Nargishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_controlshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_surgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrawaddy_Deltahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_rusthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_rust#Ug99http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_rust#Ug99http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_rusthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrawaddy_Deltahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_surgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_controlshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Nargishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_changehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keralahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Joaquin_Valleyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_North_American_heat_wavehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_North_American_heat_wavehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray-Darling_Basinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray-Darling_Basinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drought_in_Australia#Rainfall_deficiencies_in_2006


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As of 2005 stem rust was still believed to be "largely under controlworldwide except in Eastern Africa". But by January 2007 an evenmore virulent strain had gone across the Red Sea into Yemen. FAO

first reported on 5 March 2008 that Ug99 had now spread to majorwheat-growing areas in Iran.

These countries in North Africa and Middle East consume over 150%of their own wheat production; the failure of this staple crop thusadds a major burden on them. The disease is now expected to spreadover China and the Far-East. The strong international collaborationnetwork of research and development that spread disease-resistantstrains some 40 years ago and started the Green Revolution, known

as CGIAR, was since slowly starved of research funds because of itsown success and is now too atrophied to swiftly react to the newthreat.

Effect of food crisis on nations

Brazil

In April 2008, the Brazilian government announced a temporary banon the export of rice. The ban is intended to protect domesticconsumers.

Haiti

On 12 April 2008, the Haitian Senate voted to dismiss PrimeMinisterJacques-douard Alexis after violent food riots hit thecountry. The food riots caused the death of 5 people. Prices for fooditems such as rice, beans, fruit and condensed milk have gone up 50

percent in Haiti since late 2007 while the price of fuel has tripled inonly two months. Riots broke out in April due to the high prices, andthe government had been attempting to restore order by subsidizing a15 percent reduction in the price of rice. As of February 2010, post-earthquake Port-au-Prince is almost entirely reliant on foreign foodaid, some of which ends up in the black markets.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Revolutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CGIARhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques-%C3%89douard_Alexishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques-%C3%89douard_Alexishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CGIARhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Revolution


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India

India has banned the export of rice except for Basmati types of rice,which attract a premium price.

Pakistan

The Pakistan Army has been deployed to avoid the seizure of foodfrom fields and warehouses. This hasn't stopped the food prices fromincreasing. The new government has been blamed for not managingthe countries food stockpiles properly.

Russia

The Russian government pressured retailers to freeze food pricesbefore key elections for fear of a public backlash against the risingcost of food in October 2007. The freeze ended on 1 May 2008

Somalia

Riots in Somalia occurred on 5 May 2008 over the price of food, inwhich five protesters were killed. The protests occurred amid aserious humanitarian emergency due to the Ethiopian war in Somalia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_Armyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Somalia_(2006%E2%80%932009)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Somalia_(2006%E2%80%932009)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_Army


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Agencies involvedbrief description

During times of disasters, there are some national agencies which aid

in supplying food and other basic necessities to the affected. Thedelegates are expected to be well researched on the functioning of thevarious agencies working in their country and also about the variousinternational agencies which have operated earlier in their country.

A brief description about some of the agencies are given below ~

The Adventist Community Services (ACS) receives, processes, and

distributes clothing, bedding, and food products. in major disasters,the agency brings in mobile distribution units filled with bedding andpackaged clothing that is pre-sorted according to size, age, andgender. ACS also provides emergency food and counseling and

participates in the cooperative disaster child care program.

The American Red Cross is required by Congressional charter toundertake disaster relief activities to ease the suffering caused by a

disaster. Emergency assistance includes fixed/mobile feeding stations,shelter, cleaning supplies, comfort kits, first aid, blood and blood

products, food, clothing, emergency transportation, rent, homerepairs, household items, and medical supplies.

Additional assistance for long-term recovery may be provided whenother relief assistance and/or personal resources are not adequate tomeet disaster-caused needs. The American Red Cross provides

referrals to the government and other agencies providing disasterassistance

The Episcopal Church Presiding Bishops Fund for World

Reliefresponds to domestic disasters principally through its networkof nearly 100 U.S. dioceses and over 8,200 parishes. It also sendsimmediate relief grants for such basics as food, water, medicalassistance, and financial aid within the first 90 days following a


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disaster. Ongoing recovery activities are provided throughrehabilitation grants, which offer the means to rebuild, replant ruinedcrops, and counsel those in trauma. The Episcopal Church works

primarily through Church World Service in providing its disaster-related services.

Feeding America is the nation's leading domestic hunger-reliefcharity. Our mission is to feed America's hungry through anationwide network of member food banks and engage our country inthe fight to end hunger.

The National Emergency Response Team (NERT) meets the basichuman needs of shelter, food, and clothing during times of crisis anddisaster. NERT provides Emergency Mobile Trailer units (EMTUs),which are self-contained, modest living units for up to 8-10 people, to

places where disaster occurs. When EMTUs are not in use, they serveas mobile teaching units used in Emergency Preparedness programsin communities.

The Salvation Army provides emergency assistance including massand mobile feeding, temporary shelter, counseling, missing personservices, medical assistance, and distribution of donated goodsincluding food, clothing, and household items. It also providesreferrals to government and private agencies for special services.

The Southern Baptist Disaster Reliefprovides more than 200 mobile

feeding units staffed by volunteers who can prepare and distributethousands of meals a day. Active in providing disaster childcare, theagency has several mobile childcare units. Southern Baptists alsoassist with clean-up activities, temporary repairs, reconstruction,counseling, and bilingual services.


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Points to Consider ~

Following topics are expected to be discussed during the Moderated

Caucuses. However, other topics are also welcome.1.The 20072008 food crisis and its outcome.2.Present Food crisis.3.Inflation in food prices and methods to tackle them.4.Food contamination in Japan by radioactive materials. (Imp.)5.Shortcomings in using corn and maize as biofuels in USA

with special reference to the policy which aims at reserving 40%

of corn for fuel purposes. (Imp.)6. Food security and malnutrition problems7.Food adulteration issues8.Food quality management.9.Effect of disasters on food production and the national policies

which come into force in such a situation.

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