Can agroecology-based food system transitions work in humanitarian crises?

Humanitarian crises profoundly disrupt food systems. They weaken public institutions, fragment markets, limit access to land and water, erode livelihoods and reduce households’ capacity to absorb risk. They also expose the vulnerability of food systems that depend heavily on external inputs, long supply chains and volatile imports.

In such settings, agroecology offers a pathway to rebuild food systems that are more resilient, locally anchored and socially inclusive, linking production, markets, institutions, social relations and consumption.

This briefing shares reflections from the project, 'Easing and de-risking transition to climate-resilient food production for enhanced self-reliance in humanitarian contexts', looking at how agroecological approaches can contribute to humanitarian objectives.

It is based on evidence from three pilot initiatives in Kenya, Lebanon and Nepal.