BOOK LAUNCH

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2. Programme • Statement from SADC - Mr I. Modisaotsile • The FANRPAN/SADC Study and Outputs – Prof. H. K. Amani • The Book – Overview – Dr L. Majele Sibanda • Launch of Book - Prof. H. K. Amani

3. Silent HungerPolicy options for effective responses to the impact of HIV and AIDS on Agriculture and Food Security in the SADC Region “all people at all times , will have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life, as part of a comprehensive response to HIV and AIDS” United Nations General Assembly Special Session (2006)

4. The Book - Overview • Setting the Scene • Exploring the link between food security, agriculture, HIV and AIDS • Evidence of Impact from rural communities in Southern Africa • Quantifying Vulnerability: The Household Vulnerability Index (HVI) • Advocating for Policy Change • ‘Vulnerable yet Viable’ – Social Protection Policies for Households affected by HIV and AIDS

5. 1. Setting the Scene Impact of HIV and AIDS in Southern Africa The HIV and AIDS epidemic is one of the greatest challenges facing the Southern African region. With 24.7 million people living with HIV and AIDS, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has 63% of the world’s adults and children living with HIV. A disproportionate number (59%) of all those living with HIV in SSA are women and girls. UNAIDS (2006) estimated that in 2006, 2.8 million Africans became infected, and in spite of increased access to antiretroviral drugs in many countries, it is reported that 2.1 million people have died of AIDS related illnesses

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7. 2. Exploring the link between food security, agriculture HIV and AIDS This section presents the conceptual framework and research methodology used by FANRPAN to explore the impact of HIV and AIDS on agriculture, and food security in the SADC region. It is important to note that the study is based on the understanding that agriculture is only one part of a complex and inter-related sectoral relationship. Any successful attempt to address the impact of HIV and AIDS on agriculture and food security needs to explore the factors upon which and individual’s livelihood is based. The results of the study are presented in Section 3. As part of the same study, FANRPAN developed a tool for quantifying the vulnerability of affected families – the Household Vulnerability Index (HVI). The HVI was computed for South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho using 17 impact dimensions (developed during the study) through which HIV and AIDS can affect a household. A comprehensive discussion on the HVI methodology and results are presented in Section 4.

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9. 3. Evidence of Impact from Rural Communities in Southern Between 2003 and 2005, national research teams used a standardized questionnaire to collect data from seven countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Using preliminary and advanced analysis techniques, researchers explored the effects of the epidemic on assets in the human, financial, physical, social and natural dimensions, and how these affect agriculture, food security and nutrition security. Results from this research demonstrate that HIV and AIDS increase the vulnerability of households to food insecurity because they affect the core factors of production such as labour, financial resources and investments. Once a household member falls sick, this entails a reduction in the labour supply to agriculture as well as to the household’s participation in the markets. As the situation deteriorates further, households are forced to sell livestock, household assets and other livelihood assets. Female-headed and child-headed households also risk losing their land after the death of a male household head. Agricultural production declines and nutrition is compromised, as households resort to eating the same diet for all three meals, and at times the number of meals per day is reduced from three to one.

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11. 4. ‘Quantifying Vulnerability: The HVI One of the key outcomes of the regional study was to develop and test a statistical index that attempts to quantify the vulnerability introduced into different households by HIV and AIDS. The Household Vulnerability Index (HVI) was tested in two countries: Lesotho and South Africa. The results provide a baseline on how the index can be used to quantify the different degrees of vulnerability experienced by households. The HVI presented in this section proposes a basis for further research on a common yard-stick for measuring household vulnerability

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13. 5. Advocating for Policy Change The impact of HIV and AIDS has been as devastating as the impact of drought or famine on agriculture and food security, although it has not been immediately visible or quantifiable. In previous chapters, FANRPAN has presented results of the several dimensions of household livelihoods. In this section, the conclusions of the study are presented and key policy recommendations for the region and specific countries discussed. In addition, recommendations for future research are presented

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15. 6. ‘Vulnerable yet Viable’: Social Protection Policies for Households Affected by HIV and AIDS “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control” United Nations (1948)

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