Increasing the Resilience of the Food Systems
In Islamic States in Face of Future Food Crises
19
Agriculture (USDA) and can involve any form of tampering that renders food unsafe and can
cause harm to civilian and military populations, as well as substantial economic harm to food
producers. There is also the risk of cyber-security attacks which can adversely impact the food
supply chain, which has also prompted to the USDA to establish a cyber -security unit.43
C) FoodStability PolicyStakeholders
It is important to acknowledge the fact that, in the pursuit of food security, cooperation between
the key stakeholders is vital. The role of government agencies and regulators is vital in managing
and boosting food security. The development of proper food security governance structures,
monitoring and disasterpreparedness tools andplans, prioritizationof food insecurity policies, and
elimination of hunger and malnutrition are mainly the domain of government agencies and
regulators. Governments alsoprovidesafety nets for vulnerable groups of thepopulation in the face
of food crises, in addition to financing projects and incentives to boost resilience.44 Investors and
market participants play a key role in the food security system,as food supply chains andmarkets
are primarily managed by private sector players who, in some instances, may oppose and resist
national plans and legislations.45 Universities and think tanks, with their expertise in various
subject areas, are well positioned to support combatting hunger. The research provided by
universities and think tanks helps informpolicymaking and provides frameworks for monitoring
and evaluation. Collaborationbetweenuniversities andthink tanks facilitates the application of the
latest research to actual humanitarian crises. An example of this is the collaboration of the World
Food Program (WFP) in the area of early warning systems.46
Industry associations can play an importantrole inmediating between and coordinating the efforts
of government bodies and the private sector in the pursuit of food security; they also play an
important role in encouraging adherence to national food security plans and promoting private
sector voluntary commitment to sustainable food production.47 Non-governmental organizations,
whether on the national, regional or international level , have played an important role in
highlighting the importance of food security andin tacklingfood crises.International organizations,
including donor agencies and UN bodies, have played a crucial role in the pursuit of food security,
from taking the lead in tackling food security emergencies in many conflict -torn and disaster-
affected countries around the globe, to providing data and measurement tools for food insecurity
and creating voluntary guidelines to enhance food system sustainability and food security48.
National organizations, such as the Food Bank in Indonesia, have implemented various programs
that contributed in reducing food gaps.
43 John Hopkins UniversityCenter for PublicHealth. (2019). Bioterrorism and food safety. Retrieved from
44 FAO. (2017). Global Strategic Frameworkfor Food Security& Nutrition(GSF). Retrieved from
45 Vos, Rob. (2015). Thought for Food: Strengthening Global Governance of Food Security. CDP Background Paper, (29).,
Retrieved
46 World Food Programme. Academia and Think Tanks. Retrieved from
47 FAO. (2009). Food Security Information for Action:Food Security Policies - Formulation and
Implementation.
48 Ibid.