The role of crisis management in improving food security in the southern Palestinian governorates

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the role of crisis management in improving food security in the southern Palestinian governorates. This study adopted the descriptive analytical method, the content of structured interviews conducted with (10) specialists in the field of crisis management and food security, in addition to a focus group consisting of (6) experts. The results of the study showed that the dimensions of crisis management represented by (mitigation - preparedness - response - recovery) play important role in improving food security, which has high rates of insecurity. The study also found that the majority of institutions have strategic plans to deal with crises related to food security in order to mitigate the severity of the crises. These plans are developed in consultation and partnership between various relevant institutions. The results also showed that institutions suffer from many materials, human, and political obstacles to managing crises related to food security. The most important of which are the lack of opportunities to employ qualified cadres, the limited amount of funding, the lack of human resources, the lack of financial resources and their direct connection to political decisions, and the overlap between the powers of the ministries. Based on the results of the study, a set of recommendations were formulated, the most important of which is the necessity of activating pressure and advocacy for the food security sector in the Gaza Strip to obtain food, increasing agricultural areas and increase their productivity, and increase reliance on non-traditional water sources in agriculture, especially treated water and recovery water due to the availability of wastewater treatment plants. This is in addition to the serious efforts of official government agencies in cooperation with non-governmental organizations in an attempt to achieve self-sufficiency, and encouraging merchants to store large quantities of basic goods and materials. In addition, forming a national fund to support the agricultural and industrial sector to be able to confront crises such as wars, climate fluctuations, and others. Supporting financing and investment in the agricultural sector, activating the National Agricultural Credit Corporation and the Agricultural Risk Prevention and Insurance Fund, and providing tax exemptions from duties and customs, as well as adopting an import substitution policy and enhancing the self-sufficiency rate to improve food continuity, as well as adopting the concept of food sovereignty, which enhances dependence on local resources and enhances the resilience of farmers.