Letter to Irish Examiner-Food Security

Dr. Gertrude Cotter

Our thanks to the Irish Examiner for publishing this letter on 24th of October with 139 signatures.  It is a response to the excellent article written by food security expert UCC, Dr Stephen Thornhill which can be found here:  https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/spotlight/arid-40989254.html

Our response is here:

A Chara,

We welcome recent attention in this newspaper (22 October 2022 – Horn of Africa: The developed world must now show solidarity with those on the brink) to the global food crisis. We would like to encourage further in-depth, non-sensational and independent reporting in this and other media outlets. 

As a result of a delayed global response, the 2011 famine claimed the lives of more than 260,000 people in Somalia, half of them children under five.  This does not have to happen again. Food insecurity is not inevitable, it is political.  Today, the convergence of the Russian war in Ukraine, disruption of agri-food supply chains, locust infestation, successive failures of the rains, hyper-inflation, high energy costs, record-high fertiliser prices and the rising demand for biofuels, all point to a major food crisis.  We need to learn the lessons of the past and take urgent action to save lives before it is too late. Indeed, the crisis threatening us today could be on a far greater scale than in 2011 due for instance to the disruption of grain supplies from Ukraine to Africa and the Middle East.   

A World Food Programme Report, September 2022, highlights 19 ‘Hunger Hotspots’ around the world.  As an example, the humanitarian funding required to stave off pending catastrophe in the Horn of Africa, is estimated by the UN to be in the region of €4.16 billion, but this appeal to international donors is falling drastically short. The Report also notes that in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Yemen humanitarian action will be critical in preventing further starvation and death. We note Minister for State for Irish Aid, Colm Brophy’s comment (IT 7 Sept. 22) “Europe is facing its own problems, but we cannot let that distract us from catastrophe facing the region”.  We urge him and other government officials to show leadership and to use all the mechanisms at their disposal to influence international donors. 

Specifically, we ask that humanitarian assistance be made available as a matter of urgency to the most vulnerable, food-insecure people in the world.  We also ask the Irish government and the international community, to take stronger political action and to use all the means at their disposal to ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered to those at risk of famine in conflict zones, e.g., in northern Ethiopia, and to ensure that starvation is not used as a weapon of war, as it is currently being used in Tigray and Yemen for example.

While short-term humanitarian measures are imperative in current crises, clearly they will have limited long term impact unless our governments ensure that all policies (economic, trade, tax, migration, climate change, agriculture, industry, aid etc.) consistently support those most vulnerable to climate change, conflict, food insecurity and poverty around the world.  Long-term structural and systematic change is imperative to mitigate against such disasters in the future.

Is sinne, le meas,

  1. Dr Gertrude Cotter, Lecturer, Centre for Global Development, University College Cork
  2. Dr. Sanaa Khabbar, University Language Teacher, The Language Centre, University College Cork
  3. Ms. Maria Tobin, Oral Health Services Research Centre, University College Cork
  4. Dr Claus Koestler, School of Mathematical Sciences, University College Cork  
  5. Mr. Brian Casey, Executive Director, Irish Emergency Alliance
  6. Aisling Halligan, Self Help Africa – International Development Organisation
  7. Dr Jacqui O Riordan, Lecturer, Applied Social Science, University College Cork
  8. Dr Nick Chisolm, Senior Lecturer in International Development,  University College Cork 
  9. Dr Piaras Mac Einri, Lecturer, Dept of Geography, University College Cork
  10. Mr. Mike Fitzgibbon, Lecturer, International Development, University College Cork
  11. Dr Brian Turner, Lecturer, Department of Economics, University College Cork
  12. Dr Eilish Dillon, Lecturer, Maynooth University Department of International Development
  13. Dr. Michael J. O’Mahony, Department of Process, Energy and Transport Engineering, MTU
  14. Dr Tom Campbell, Lecturer, Maynooth University Department of International Development
  15. Dr Saumava Mitra, Assistant Professor, Dublin City University, School of Communications
  16. Dr Niamh Gaynor, Associate Professor in International Development, School of Law and Government, Dublin City University
  17. Thomas Mc Donagh, Director, Financial Justice Ireland
  18. Stephen McCloskey, Centre for Global Education, Belfast
  19. Dr Amin Sharifi Isaloo, Department of Sociology & Criminology, University College Cork
  20. Prof. Kieran Keohane, Department of Sociology & Criminology, University College Cork
  21. Dr Maureen O’Connor, Department of English, University College Cork
  22. Dr. Paul O’Keeffe, Assistant Professor/Lecturer, Maynooth University Department of International Development
  23. Dr Siobhan O’Sullivan, Lecturer, School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork
  24. Niamh Rooney, Lecturer, Maynooth University Department of International Development
  25. Dr Colm Regan, Visiting Lecturer, University of Malta
  26. Dr Stephen Thornhill, Lecturer and Programme Director of the MSc in Food Security, Policy and Management, University College Cork
  27. Dr Rosarii Griffin, Interim Director, Centre for Global Development, University College Cork, Ireland. 
  28. Dr. Lekha Menon Margassery, President, UCC Indian Alumni Community, University College Cork, Ireland. 
  29. Ms Sally Orren, Head of General and Academic programmes, Language Centre, University College Cork, Ireland. 
  30. Dr Angela Flynn, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland. 
  31. Dr Maeve O’Sullivan, Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Decent Work, J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics,  University of Galway.
  32. Ms Carol Condon School of Nursing & Midwifery, University College  Cork, Ireland.
  33. Donal Chambers – Course Coordinator – Permaculture & Sustainable Horticulture, Kinsale College, Kinsale. Co. Cork.
  34. Anne-Marie Curtin, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, University College Cork.
  35. Dr Julia Schneider, Department of Asian Studies, University College Cork
  36. Dr Stephen O’Brien, School of Education, University College Cork.
  37. Dr Bernie Grummell, Departments of Education, and Adult & Community Education, Maynooth University
  38. Dr Silvia Brandi, Quality Enhancement Advisor, Quality Enhancement Unit, University College Cork 
  39. Dr Margaret Murphy, BSc in Midwifery Programme Lead, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork.
  40. Martha Phelan, Research Support, Office of Vice President for Research and Innovation, University College Cork.
  41. Dr Orla Murphy, Department of Digital Humanities, University College Cork. 
  42. Dr Camilla Fitzsimons, Adult and Community Education, Maynooth University
  43. Prof. (em) Manfred Schewe, Department of German/Theatre, University College Cork
  44. Dr Peter Admirand, School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music, Dublin City University
  45. Dr Eugene McNulty, School of English, Dublin City University
  46. Kirsty Rickard, Programme Administrator, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, DCU
  47. Professor Anne Matthews, Faculty of Science & Health, DCU
  48. Dr Volkan Yilmaz, School of Law and Government, Dublin City University
  49. Dr Pieternella Pieterse, Faculty of Science & Health, DCU
  50. Dr. Fiona Gallagher, School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies, DCU
  51. Dr. Joss Moorkens, School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies, DCU
  52. Professor, Jane Suiter, School of Communications, Dublin City University
  53. Dr. James Fitzgerald, School of Law and Government, Dublin City University
  54. Zelalem Hadush, PhD candidate, University College Cork, Ireland
  55. Dr Barbara Doyle Prestwich, Head of Plant Science, School of Biological Earth and Environmental Science, UCC. 
  56. Dr Ricardo Castellini da Silva, Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Future Media, Democracy and Society, DCU.
  57. Dr Jimmy O’Keeffe, Assistant Professor, Dublin City University, School of History and Geography
  58. Dr Rhona O’Connell, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork
  59. Prof. Pat Brereton, School of Communications, DCU
  60. Felicity Daly DrPH, Institute for Social Sciences in the 21st Century, UCC
  61. Dr Kian Mintz-Woo, Department of Philosophy and Environmental Research Institute, UCC
  62. Aoife Bruce, INFANT Centre CUH 
  63. Dr Siobhain O’Mahony, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, UCC
  64. Prof. Abina Crean, School of Pharmacy, UCC
  65. Dr Simon Woodworth, Cork University Business School, UCC
  66. Dr. Sarah Robinson, School of Applied Psychology, UCC
  67. Professor Luigina Ciolfi, School of Applied Psychology, UCC 
  68. Dr Crystal Addey, Lecturer, Department of Classics, and Co-Covener of the Eco-Humanities Research Group, University College Cork
  69. Maura O’Leary, UCC
  70. Dr Eoin Lettice, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UCC
  71. Dr. Seána Ryan, Dept. of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies, UCC
  72. Ms Ann Heffernan, Photonics Centre, Tyndall National Institute, UCC.
  73. Nora Hennessy, School of Applied Psychology, UCC
  74. Dr. Brendan McElroy, Department of Economics, UCC
  75. Dr Declan Jordan, Senior Lecturer in Economics, University College Cork
  76. Dr. Joan Cronin, Department of Sociology & Criminology, University College Cork
  77. Professor Barry O’Sullivan MRIA, School of Computer Science & IT, University College Cork
  78. Dr Laura Lee, Centre for the Integration of Research,  Teaching and Learning, University  College Cork
  79. Dr Damian Tobin, Department of Management and Marketing, CUBS, University College Cork
  80. Dr Ken McDonagh, Head of the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University
  81. Dr Danny Marks, School of Law and Government, Dublin City University
  82. Dr Conor Linehan, School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork
  83. Martin O’Connell, Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork
  84. Dr. Mark Kennedy, Department of Physics, University College Cork
  85. Mike Hayes, ICT 4 Energy Efficiency Group, Tyndall National Institute, UCC.
  86. Dr. Sebastian Scheurer, School of Computer Science and IT, UCC.
  87. Prof. Andrew Cottey, Department of Government Politics, UCC
  88. Dr. Tom Boland, Department of Sociology and Criminology, UCC
  89. Dr. Chris O’Connell, School of Law and Government, Dublin City University
  90. Dr. Stephen Wills, School of Mathematical Sciences, UCC
  91. Eoin Gamble, School of Applied Psychology, UCC
  92. Dr Dervla O’Malley, Department of Physiology, UCC
  93. Dr Walt Kilroy, School of Law and Government, Dublin City University
  94. Dr. Namrata Iyer, APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork
  95. Dr Mike Murphy, School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork 
  96. Zahid Aslam, Department of Marketing and International Business, MTU
  97. Dr Padmanathan Narayanasamy, Micro-Nano System Centre, Tyndall National Institute, UCC
  98. Philip McDonagh, Director, Centre for Religion, Human Values, and International Relations, DCU
  99. Dr Shane O Rourke, Department of Mathematics, MTU Cork.
  100. Dr. Olivia Flynn, Department of Process, Energy and Transport Engineering, MTU.
  101. Dr George Shorten, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, UCC
  102. Eva Juhl, Office of the Registrar & VP for Academic Affairs, MTU Cork
  103. Dr. Patrick Crowley, School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, UCC
  104. Dr. Marica Cassarino, School of Applied Psychology, UCC
  105. Liam P. Ó Murchú MA, DLittCelt, Department of Modern Irish, UCC (retired). 
  106. Tony Daly, 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World
  107. Dr Tracey Skillington, Department of Sociology & Criminology, UCC
  108. Dr Chandana Mathur, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Maynooth University
  109. Laura O Donovan, Researcher, MTU.
  110. Dr James O’Connor, Dept of Biological Sciences, MTU
  111. Dr J.P. McCarthy, Department of Mathematics, MTU
  112. Professor Jim O’Mahony, dept of Biological Sciences, MTU
  113. Fabio Silva, BSc, MBA, MSc, PhD researcher, Research Engineer, Tyndall National Institute, UCC.
  114. Dr. Samuel Hayes, Department of Geography and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UCC
  115. Maria Murray, Media Communications Department, Munster Technical University.
  116. Maeve McGinn, International Energy Research Centre, Tyndall National Institute
  117. Laura Crowe, Department of Physical Sciences, Munster Technological University.
  118. Joan Dinneen, Department of Sport, Leisure and Childhood Studies, MTU, Cork.
  119. Dolores Mullahy, Estates Office, MTU.
  120. Ian Pitt, School of Computer Science and Information Technology, UCC
  121. Edel Sullivan, MTU Cork School of Music
  122. Edmond Riordan, Fellow Emeritus, MTU Cork
  123. Dr Ríona Ní Churtáin, Department of Modern Irish, UCC. 
  124. Brian Butler, Disability Support Service, UCC.
  125. Paola Rivetti, School of Law and Government, Dublin City University 
  126. James Bilson, Access UCC
  127. Dr Mastoureh Fathi, Department of Sociology and Criminology, UCC
  128. Dr. Niamh Power, Department of Civil, Struct. & Environ. Enginggering, MTU Cork
  129. Roisin Lane, Department of Applied Social Studies, MTU
  130. Kevin Gilligan, Architectural Technologist, Building & Estates Department, MTU.
  131. Rose Buckley, Superannuation Office, MTU.
  132. Mary Quirke, Dept of Process, Energy and Transportation, MTU 
  133. Nic Wilson, School of Computer Science and Information Technology, UCC
  134. Dr. Meley Mekonen Rannestad, Researcher at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
  135. Diarmuid Torney, School of Law and Government, Dublin City University
  136. Dr. Anca Mustata, School of Mathematical Sciences, UCC
  137. Gillian Aughney, OVPRI, UCC
  138. Dr. Marcin Szczerbinski, School of Applied Psychology, UCC
  139. Goitom Tegegn, Thomas More University of Applied  Sciences, Belgium