Multiple crises have disrupted the global food system in 2022. Traditional crisis response focuses on humanitarian and emergency food aid, but a more systematic and sustainable approach is required to address more frequent, compounding, and extended crises, and build greater resilience to food system shocks. Many tools and innovations are already available to predict, monitor, and respond to crises, as well as to govern for long-term resilience and equity, though more solutions need to be explored. Identifying the most promising options and integrating them into a more permanent response to food crises can mitigate the short- and long-term impacts of shocks to food systems.

The 2023 Global Food Policy Report: Rethinking Food Crisis Response looks at the critical tools and approaches needed for better crisis response. The chapter on South Asia considers how crises have affected the region in recent years and how these developments signal new challenges and opportunities. During recent shocks, food systems in South Asia have proved to be resilient in many ways, and a range of promising approaches have been implemented to promote greater resilience along with other development goals. Understanding these strengths can help stakeholders rethink the way forward and build on what works as they respond to crises. In this context, panel discussions on building resilient food crisis responses in South Asia are planned for June 19–20, 2023, during the South Asia launch of the 2023 Global Food Policy Report.

The major objectives of the panel discussions include:

• Identifying gaps in current monitoring systems and adding new processes to existing systems, which would allow for faster identification and responses to food crisis situations in South Asia.
• Suggesting mechanisms to support accountable governance, effective institutions, and policy programming that can facilitate the long-term resilience of food systems in the region.
• Examining the effectiveness of different humanitarian assistance approaches and anticipatory action programs for protecting food and nutrition security—particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
• Understanding how economic vulnerability affects different population groups in South Asia (including women, children, elderly, disabled persons, and other vulnerable groups) and how to develop social protection systems to be more targeted and shock responsive.
• Assessing the repurposing of existing investments to help expand and prioritize efficient crisis response funding and leveraging private sector funds to bolster investment in long-term resilience.