Food security has been at the heart of the Club's founding mission. The "Club du Sahel" was created by OECD countries in 1976 to raise international support for and awareness of the drought crises in the Sahel. Among the key achievements are the creation of the Food Crisis Prevention Network (RPCA) in 1984 and the adoption of the Food Aid Charter in 1990. Over the years, the Club has produced various analyses, policy notes, information notes, etc. and facilitated regional policies. In December 2010, Club members decided to dedicate its two-year reflection cycle to the analyses of the role of population settlement and market dynamics in food security prospects. In parallel, the SWAC Secretariat continues to facilitate the negotiation process of the revised Charter and the RPCA network.

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West African futures | Charter | RPCA | Forum | Documents | Contacts

Based on a deeper understanding of the regional market and of interactions between long-term settlement trends, markets and food security, the programme aims to provide policymakers and key stakeholders with a realistic vision of food security stakes that they will need to address in future. It shall also provide concrete analytical tools that help define appropriate response policies and strategies.

The Charter is currently the subject of intensive discussions facilitated by CILSS under the aegis of ECOWAS, with support from the SWAC Secretariat. The national dialogue process is halfway completed. The Charter could be adopted at the regional level at a meeting of experts and ECOWAS in the course of 2011.

Since its creation in 1984, the Food Crisis Prevention Network (RPCA) is a unique forum for discussion and exchange on food security issues, facilitating decision-making to better prevent and manage possible food crises. It brings together West Africa’s main food security actors. As an open and informal forum, it analyses the food situation of the region, improves information-sharing among key stakeholders and promotes concerted and consistent actions.

Regional solidarity to address food crises

Accra, 7-8 December 2010

Building on lessons learnt in the establishment of regional food stocks in Asia, Latin America, and the Carribean and Southern Africa, SWAC’s 2010 Forum brings together key stakeholders to facilitate the setting-up of a regional food stock in West Africa. This Forum guide includes the agenda, presentations of speakers and background documents of the Forum.