JCU Welcomes World Food Programme Chief Economist Arif Husain
On March 20, 2025, John Cabot University welcomed Arif Husain, Chief Economist at the World Food Programme (WFP), for a talk on food security and crisis prevention. WFP is the largest humanitarian organization in the world and the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. The event began with an introduction to the organization and its key functions, followed by a lively Q&A session.
Arif Husain holds a Ph.D. in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota, where he also taught. Before joining WFP, he worked at the World Bank in Washington D.C. for several years. Dr. Husain has dedicated much of his career to combating global hunger and analyzing food security.
His journey with WFP began as a field worker in the Darfur region of western Sudan, an area devastated by armed conflict, starvation, violence, and epidemics. It was here that he was able to find a job that, while demanding, gave him the energy and motivation to seek solutions and make a difference in the lives of others. He learned firsthand that, while planning is essential, it is equally important to remain adaptable, as unexpected turns of events can derail programs and require new approaches to achieve desired outcomes.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification
Dr. Husain introduced the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global system used to assess food insecurity and malnutrition in a country on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 indicates minimal, or no starvation and 5 is an extremely critical situation equaling to a catastrophe or famine. However, the role of IPC extends beyond assessment; its primary purpose is to provide evidence and ensure visibility, which has contributed to saving millions of lives over the years.
He also discussed UN Resolution 2417, which, for the first time in history, condemned the intentional starvation of civilians and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access as methods of warfare. Reflecting on the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to WFP five years ago, Dr. Husain emphasized that the organization remains impartial and independent, with its contribution to peace focused on creating conditions conducive to peace, rather than direct involvement. Many conflicts arise over access to vital resources, such as water, and often, by providing access to these resources, WFP has been able to prevent or minimize the chances of conflict.
Dr. Husain firmly believes that neglecting famine or crises in one part of the world will not only harm those currently suffering but may eventually lead to problems elsewhere. “It is essential to identify and address the root causes of these issues early on. In the meantime, we must help people in their current situation,” he asserted. Financially, addressing crises early on is much more cost-effective than waiting until the consequences are impossible to ignore. Thus, investing in crisis prevention now may cost us 5% of what we may spend on humanitarian assistance and managing migration influx of people escaping from countries in emergencies.
Other topics discussed during the session included industrial and agricultural productivity, food market distribution, food sovereignty and diversification, supply and demand issues, and changes in USAID financing policies related to food assistance. Dr. Husain also addressed the impact of raising tariffs and their negative effects on consumers.
“What If I Don’t?”
Dr. Husain then shared practical advice on how to engage key players and changemakers in supporting those in need. He stressed the importance of understanding both the relevance of your analysis to your audience and the timing of your message. He emphasized that it is vital not only to present the situation at hand, supported with solid analysis and evidence, but also to highlight the consequences of inaction. “Turn the question to ‘What if I don’t?’ If the answer is strong enough to inspire fear, then you need to act. Be critical, analyze the pros and cons, and you’ll arrive at the solution.”
(Susan Martirosyan)
