Effect of Water Availability on Food Security: a Literature Review

Details

Mission and objectives

Morobe Development Foundation Inc. is a leading Internationally recognised NGO based in Lae Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea who has the vision to help young people reach their full potential by utilizing their hidden talents in community development initiatives so they can realize their potential and become a role model in the community. MDF was established to address a broader and more diverse range of objectives and work through the use of dance, music and drama, MDF’s primary aim is to ensure that women participate equally in decision making in any project undertaken, including projects related to Ending Violence against Women, and promoting Human Rights with a aim to support the Government and UN their Development Goals. MDF, in collaboration with Online Volunteers engaged through the UNV's Unified Volunteer Platform (UVP), has also undertaken various scientific research studies related to the environment - forest cover loss, land use land cover change, the influence of various parameters on surface waters, and coastal shoreline turtle habitat loss. These projects included the participation of various experts and researchers from diverse fields across various countries across the globe - ranging from marine biology, biodiversity conservation, PNG community management, remote sensing, and land use policy among various others. MDF is managed by a management committee, which is made up of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, Secretary, the Treasurer, the Project Coordinator, Community Development Officer, and a male and female member of the foundation, and ensures that women participate equally in decision making. We at MDF assert that we have the required skill sets, knowledge, established international network, and the necessary foundational work to undertake projects successfully.

Context

Morobe Development Foundation Inc. is a not-for-profit organization based in Papua New Guinea and was established to promote sustainable community development initiatives and thereby address several exigent issues – ranging from environmental conservation to women's rights – that are hindering the progress of the region. Water availability and food security are pivotal challenges confronting our global society, with profound implications for livelihoods, economies, and ecosystems across the world. The intricate relationship between water resources and the ability to produce food underpins the well-being of the people, influencing everything from local agricultural practices to international food markets. The sustainability of these resources is critical not only for current but also for future generations, as climate change, population growth, and economic development exert increasing pressure on water and food systems. A few of our ongoing projects focus on applications of various remote sensing technologies for monitoring forest biomass, tracking land use land change patterns, evaluating climate change impacts, and conserving sea turtle habitats and water quality and food security. To that end, we are currently looking for online volunteers who are passionate about water resources, food security, and sustainability and to support us in delving into the nexus between water resources and food security, offering data-driven policy recommendations for enhancing sustainability in Papua New Guinea. The selected Online Volunteers, with expertise in food security and water availability, will engage in pivotal research activities focused on analyzing the impacts of water resource management on agricultural productivity and food supply chains. Additionally, Online Volunteers will contribute to synthesizing these findings into comprehensive policy recommendations aimed at bolstering sustainable practices in water and food management.

Task description

Morobe Development Foundation (MDF) Inc. is seeking four (4) Online Volunteers with specialized backgrounds in food security, water availability, and scientific writing. Selected online volunteers are expected to bring their expertise to the MDF team in the following areas: 1. Support the literature review on the impact of water availability on food security, integrating findings from diverse sources to craft comprehensive policy recommendations. 2. Utilizing and analyzing data relevant to water and food security, potentially employing tools and methodologies for predictive analysis and impact assessment. 3. Contributing to the writing and preparation of journal articles, with tasks ranging from drafting to conducting exhaustive literature reviews. The current research topic is "Impact of Water Availability on Food Security: A Literature Review-Based Policy Recommendations." This initiative seeks to illuminate the critical interdependencies between water management and food supply chains and propose viable solutions for future sustainability. The results of this project will be included in a peer-reviewed journal article, and based on the level of contributions, Online Volunteers will be acknowledged (with a certificate) and/or invited to be co-authors.