Disaster Risk Reduction and Cities

Julien CustotFood for the Cities multidisciplinary initiative facilitator

Crisis happen in cities

Floods in Bangkok

Floods in Pakistan

Fukushima food contamination

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Urban agglomeration in 2025

Food and nutrition security in cities todaySecurity and human rights

Riots happen in cities (e.g.food riots in 2007-2008 and early 2011).Social problems in urban slums have become visible

Concentrating food needs in growing cities

The double burden of malnutrition

Climate change

Food systems accross the urban-rural continuumFood and agriculture

Natural resources management

Socio-economic and health factors

• Agrobiodiversity• Livestock and aquaculture• Food markets• Food loss and Waste

• Soil and Water• Land tenure• Energy• Forest and trees

• Hunger and malnutrition• Shifting diets and health• Food safety and street foods• Migration and labour

DRR in cities: what is needed?All urban citizens must have access to the combination of

safe foods required for a healthy dietclose to home, all year roundaffordable and sustainable livelihoodsimproved food practices (consumer information)

Existing food systems must be reviewedimproved synergy of actors: producers (inc. processing),

distribution (formal and informal sector ), consumers, local authorities

a more rational territorial approach: urban-rural linkages (economic, environment, social)

Towards more resilient food systems

A people-centredand social development policy

Risk management and ecosystem resilience

Multi-level governance

The food system inurban and territorialplanning

Food system

approach

Joining forces to bring food and agriculture in the urban agenda

More systematic collaboration FAO and UN-HabitatWorld Urban Forum ; WHDWFD/CFS

IASC Reference Group – Meeting Humanitrian challenges in urban areas (MHCUA)Partnership with WFP and NGOs : “Guidance on food and

nutrition security in urban crisis contexts”

Mainstream food, agriculture and management of natural resources in relevant events and initiatives and ensure linkages Association of local authorities: e.g. ICLEI – local

governments for sustainability - Resilient cities Congress

Civil society organizations, private sector; academics…

Assisting local actors

Joint support to urban and food security planning and NR management for DRRbringing stakeholders around the same

table with key role of municipalities and local authorities

learning togetherSupport to existing projects and initiativesCity-to-city collaboration

Linking networksResilient cities: an entry point for

DRRIncrease partnership

local authorities, government sectors, civil society, NGOs, research institutions academia, UN agencies and donors

Building on existing mechanismsnetwork (food-for-cities@dgroups.org)

and take advantage of opportunities