War Exposure and Food Insecurity

Abstract:

Armed conflict kills and injure people, inhibits trade and movement, disrupts local livelihood and markets, and destructs agricultural production, cropland, and farming inputs. Locations that are directly or indirectly exposed to violence are thus at high risk of experiencing critical levels of food insecurity. The existing literature points to large negative effects of violence on food consumption, utilization, access, availability, as well as children’s nutritional status and health. Although these impacts are context-specific and vary across countries, they are generally higher in locations exposed to other shocks, such as droughts, pandemics, or economic crises. Pregnant and lactating women, children, elderly, and disabled people are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity, as they lack access to support structures and resources that can help them cope with crises. Societies characterized by high levels of trust, social cohesion, and effective and accountable institutions which safeguard property rights, promote rule of law, preserve food markets and trades, and control corruption, are less vulnerable the negative impacts of droughts, armed conflicts, or the combination thereof.

Authors:

Ida Rudolfsen and Paola Vesco