A food distribution point in Moria Camp, Greece (2020). // Photo: MOTG
Outline
Problem
Food accessible to refugees is often sub-standard, and this is causing serious health impacts amongst displaced communities.
Mission
To make nutritious diets reliably accessible for forcibly displaced individuals.
Central thesis
Food solutions outside of the humanitarian food system are necessary - a reliance on these systems has been to the detriment of displaced populations.
Our guiding belief is that refuge should be a safe place, where people heal and rebuild.
No one should have to exist in a system where it is impossible to look after one's health.
Proposal
Pilot concept
To trial modern urban farming techniques in refugee camps.
Early estimate
A vertical farm half a football field large could supplement the meals of up to 1400 people with 800g of fresh vegetables per day.
Source: Eden Green
Urban farming technologies have been used to good effect in many contexts, but testing is needed to determine its ability to serve as a localised food solution in humanitarian settings.
Logic flow
Undernutrition impacts refugee camps worldwide
2 in 3 refugee camps globally have high rates of stunting
WFP reports that only 1.4% of the in-kind food it provides is 'nutritionally adequate'
Existing solutions are not solving the issue
Humanitarian agencies have experimented with a host of different solutions, yet a lasting and satisfactory solution remains elusive - there is a gap
A pilot can test a more modern approach...
A rethink of how food reaches communities in humanitarian contexts is needed, and a pilot can test how localising food production can be a resilient and nutritious means of filling this gap
... and strengthen the humanitarian toolkit
Advocacy coming out of a successful pilot can build evidence for localised food production & provide technical know-how for institutions to adopt these solutions
The ask:
From Seed to Shelter is looking for funding partners to help it tackle the challenge of undernutrition in refugee camps.
Funds raised will go towards a pilot project that will aim to determine the feasibility and efficacy of using vertical farms in humanitarian contexts.
If successful, From Seed to Shelter will focus on making it (or components of it) an adoptable solution for more communities in need.
If you would consider contributing to this mission, or if you would like to get involved, please don't hesitate to reach out to me via ben@fromseedtoshelter.com
Or, arrange a chat with me here:
