Livelihoods and Food Security

The Importance of Food Security and Livelihoods

Every individual has the right to an adequate standard of living, which includes access to food security and livelihood opportunities. Displacement, conflict, and disasters severely disrupt food systems and economic stability, leaving affected populations vulnerable to malnutrition, poverty, and repeated displacement.

At the Ireland Refugee Board (IRB), we work to strengthen food security and support sustainable livelihoods for displaced individuals and host communities. Through targeted interventions, we restore economic self-reliance, reduce aid dependency, and ensure access to safe, nutritious food for those most in need.

Food Security: A Rights-Based Approach

Food security is built on four key pillars:

• Availability – Ensuring the consistent supply of diverse and nutritious food.
• Access – Providing physical, economic, and social access to food.
• Utilization – Promoting adequate food consumption for optimal health and nutrition.
• Stability – Strengthening long-term resilience and sustainability in food systems.

Disruptions in these pillars—caused by conflict, economic shocks, climate change, or displacement—can lead to severe food insecurity. The IRB follows the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) definition of food security:

“Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”

Our Expertise in Livelihoods and Food Security

At IRB, we provide lifesaving food assistance while also investing in long-term economic resilience for displaced individuals and vulnerable communities. Our programs focus on:

• Emergency Food Assistance – Providing immediate food support to prevent malnutrition and hunger-related deaths.
• Livelihood Recovery and Asset Creation – Restoring productive assets such as land, livestock, and tools to rebuild self-sufficiency.
• School Feeding Programs and Community Gardens – Supporting child nutrition and education through sustainable food programs.
• Nutritious Food Production Systems – Strengthening local food supply chains and agricultural resilience.
• Employment and Income Generation – Facilitating vocational training, job placement, and micro-business development.
• Access to Credit and Financial Inclusion – Providing displaced individuals with access to financial services to invest in livelihoods.
• Natural Resource Management and Climate Resilience – Promoting sustainable farming, water conservation, and ecosystem protection.

Building Resilient Livelihoods for Durable Solutions

We recognize that food security and livelihoods are interdependent and must be addressed holistically. Our three-tiered approach ensures that affected populations can progress from dependency to self-reliance:

IRB’s Commitment to Global Livelihood and Food Security Goals

The IRB Livelihoods and Food Security Strategy (2025-2030) aligns with global efforts to end hunger, promote self-reliance, and strengthen economic stability for displaced individuals. We work in urban, rural, and camp settings to:

• Enhance economic resilience in displaced communities.
• Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for the most vulnerable.
• Promote long-term solutions that prevent dependency on aid.
• Support integration into host economies through employment and business opportunities.

Through collaboration with governments, humanitarian agencies, and the private sector, we develop holistic solutions that ensure dignity, stability, and lasting impact for displaced populations.

Join Us in Creating Sustainable Solutions

At IRB, we believe that food security and livelihoods are the foundation of long-term stability and dignity for displaced individuals. By investing in economic resilience and sustainable food systems, we help people move beyond survival toward a future of opportunity and self-reliance.