Food Aid

Reducing world hunger

Worldwide, 925 million people do not have access to good quality food in adequate quantities as a result of conflicts, natural disasters and chronic poverty.

CIDA assists these vulnerable populations by funding two types of food aid:

• Emergency food aid―A short-term response to address the immediate dietary and nutritional needs of populations, particularly refugees and internally displaced persons, affected by natural disasters, crises and conflicts.
• Food aid in development contexts―A medium- to long-term response to help vulnerable populations develop and enhance livelihoods and become self-reliant-all essential for sustainable development.

CIDA's Food Security Strategy, supported by the Government of Canada's commitment announced at the 2009 G-8 Summit, has three paths:

• Sustainable agricultural development―This is one of the most effective investments in reducing poverty and improving food security in a country. Canada's commitment in this area totals nearly $1.18 billion over three years.
• Food aid and nutrition―In 2009-2010, CIDA provided more than $330 million in food aid and funded 70 projects having a nutrition component in 78 countries. As a founding partner of the Micronutrient Initiative, Canada has promoted supplements such as Vitamin A and iodine, enabling millions of people to enjoy the benefits of better nutrition.
• Research and development―In 2009-2010, the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund was launched as a joint initiative between CIDA and the International Development Research Centre. CIDA also funds programs implemented by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and other research agencies, such as the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), and the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA).

In 2010, with CIDA's support CIDA, 109.2 million people benefited from food aid, and 21.1 million children took part in school feeding initiatives. Canada also honoured its commitment under the Food Aid Convention.

Canadian funding for food aid is distributed through two primary channels: the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. In July 2011, Minister Oda announced an additional $25 million contribution to WFP to provide food aid to those most in need as a result of the humanitarian crisis in East Africa. In October 2011, Minister Oda announced that Canada had increased its support for global food security through these two organizations, by $350 million. This contribution will help Canada deliver on its objectives related to food security; children and youth; maternal, newborn and child health; and nutrition.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency. In 2010, WFP fed more than 109.2 million people in 75 countries. During that time, Canada remained WFP's second largest donor country, contributing a total of $285 million.

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank provides food aid (cash, grain, and other agricultural commodities) and development assistance to people in need on behalf of 15 Canadian church-based member agencies. It is Canada's primary non-governmental organization involved in food aid and is a recognized centre of expertise in food aid and food security. In 2010-2011, the Bank used donations, including a CIDA matching fund, to provide food aid, nutrition programs and agricultural assistance, valued at a total of $38 million, to 2.3 million people in 35 countries.

"As we are at a critical time in the fight against hunger, Canadian's investment and leadership in effective global action is not only saving lives but helping break the circle of hunger and malnutrition."

- Josette Sheeran, Executive Director, WFP
October 26, 2011

In Senegal's Kaffrine region, a CIDA-funded WFP program promotes the creation of school gardens. The fruits and vegetables grown supplement the food rations that WFP provides for pupils.

Untying food aid

As recently as 2007, more than half of Canadian food aid to developing countries had to be bought in Canada. This was known as tied aid, and it was neither cost effective nor efficient. Tied aid undermines the ability of developing countries to produce or buy goods for themselves and delays assistance from reaching the people who so desperately need it.

In 2008, Canada fully untied its food aid, allocating 100 percent of its food aid budget to international procurement and supporting the purchase of food in developing countries.

Given the unprecedented prices for food and fuel, providing Canadian partners with the flexibility to purchase commodities locally and regionally greatly minimizes shipping costs and helps bring more food to more people.

By lifting restrictions on where food is bought, Canada promotes the development of local and regional markets and, more importantly, increases the speed, efficiency and effectiveness of Canadian food aid.

"Our member agencies, global partners, and supporters across the country are deeply appreciative of this continued support. It enables us to reach many more people with food and other assistance and to do so in a timely way.The long-standing partnership with CIDA allowed us to respond to the food crisis in East Africa long before it was in the news and will enable us to continue providing assistance during the recovery process long after the news cameras are turned off."

- Jim Cornelius, Executive Director, Canadian Foodgrains Bank
October 26, 2011