Food insecurity caused by conflict calls for sound evidence-based policymaking and interventions. The main objective of this study is to understand the impact of the ongoing armed conflict on household food security, and the sustainability of livelihood coping strategies employed in the Bamenda Municipality of the Northwest region of Cameroon by splicing the Food Insecurity Experience Scale and the Sustainable livelihood framework.
Despite enormous multiform humanitarian food aid interventions, the situation is far from improving. It is therefore not clear to what extend the armed conflict has affected household food security in the NW region of Cameroon as a whole and the Bamenda municipality. The effectiveness of livelihood responses in solving the problem cannot also be ascertained. Understanding the relationship between armed conflict and food insecurity (access and availability), associated perceptions, coping strategies and livelihood responses is therefore critical in managing food insecurity across the bord.
Although research works on the relationship between food security and violent conflict have steadily increased, it is still an emerging research theme among economists, political scientists, and development researchers to look at livelihood responses and food security in a volatile environment, especially in the Bamenda municipality of the Northwest Region of Cameroon which has been experiencing an ongoing arm conflict since 2017.
The main research question of this study is: To what extend has the ongoing socio-political crisis impacted on household food security and what is the sustainability of the livelihood coping strategies being employed in the Bamenda Municipality of the Northwest region of Cameroon?
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background to the Study
1.2. Problem Statement
1.3. Objective of the Study
1.3.2. Specific objectives
1.4.1. The Major Research Question
1.4.2. Specific Research Questions
1.5. Hypothesis of the Study
1.6. Significance of the Study
1.0. Scope of the Study
1.1. Layout of the Study
1.2. Definition of terms
CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. Conceptual Review
2.1.1. Armed conflict
2.1.1. Household
2.1.2. Coping Strategy
2.1.3. Livelihood
2.1.3. Sustainable Livelihood
2.1.3. Vulnerability Context
2.1.4. Food Security
2.1.5. Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA) and Food Security Approaches
2.2. Theoretical Framework
2.2.1. Introduction
2.2.1. Sustainable Livelihood Framework
2.2.3. Components of Food Security
2.2.4. Conflict / Crisis and Food Security
2.2.5. Conflict, Sustainable Livelihood, and Food Security Nexus
2.2.6. Assessing Food (In)Security
2.3. Empirical Review
2.3.1. Introduction
2.3.2. Global overview of conflict and food security
2.3.3. Crisis, Food Security, and livelihood interventions in Africa
2.3.4. Crisis and food security in Cameroon
2.3.5. Challenges of food security in crisis context
2.3.6. Livelihood Interventions and coping strategies in Crisis context
2.5. Gaps Identified and Proposed Research framework
2.5.1. Research Gap
2.5.2. Proposed Research framework
CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY
3.1. Model Specification
3.2. Study Design
3.3 Population of Study
3.3. Sampling Technique /Sample Size
3.4. Source of Data
3.5. Methods of Data Collection
3.6. Validity and Reliability of the Instrument
3.9. Ethical Considerations
CHAPTER FOUR PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1. Presentation of Demographic Results
4.1.2. Gender Distribution
4.1.3. Age Range of Respondents
4.2.4 Size of household
4.2.5. Level of Education
4.2.6 Agropastoral Activities Involvement
4.2.6. Households with Regular Income Source
4.2.7. Religious Affiliation
4.2.8. Household Livelihood support to beneficiaries
4.2. Perception of the impact of the ongoing conflict on household food security
4.2.2. Related hardship factors associated with food security in the Bamenda City Council area
4.3. Demographic, and socio-economic factors influencing household food security
4.3.1. Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) analysis
4.3.2. Data structure
4.3.3. Location of household (Bamenda I, Bamenda II, Bamenda III)
4.3.3 Gender (Male headed Household Versus Female Headed Households)
4.3.4. Food insecurity prevalence rate of the Municipality using FIES
4.4.4. Regression Analysis to assess the impact of hardship factors on household food security using FIES.
4.4.4. Other Variables that may Influence the Food Security Status of the Affected Population – Regression analysis
4.4. Household Coping Strategies and Livelihood Interventions
4.4.1. Household Coping Strategies
4.5. 2. Livelihood Interventions
4.2.9. Main livelihood support activities
4.5.1 Perception of Households that Benefited from Livelihood Support
4.5.2. Perception of Beneficiaries on the Impact of Livelihood Support
4.5.3. Proposals for the amelioration of the food security status
4.6. Implication of Findings and Limitations of the Study
4.6.1. implication of the findings
4.5.2. Limitations of the study
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0. Introduction
5.1. Summary of Findings
5.2. Conclusion
5.3. Recommendations
5.4. Suggested Areas for Future Research
Research Objectives and Themes
The main objective of this study is to understand the impact of the ongoing armed conflict on household food security and the sustainability of livelihood coping strategies employed in the Bamenda Municipality of the Northwest region of Cameroon, utilizing the Food Insecurity Experience Scale and the Sustainable Livelihood framework.
- Impact of the ongoing socio-political crisis on household food security in the Bamenda Municipality.
- Influence of demographic and socio-economic factors (such as household location, gender, age, income) on food security.
- Evaluation of the sustainability of current household coping strategies and livelihood interventions.
- Analysis of the relationship between armed conflict, vulnerability, and food insecurity prevalence.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1. Background to the Study
The universal perception of conflict and peacebuilding has remarkably changed over the past fifty years notably, in those regions of the world caught up in a conflict where the rural populations face the deep problem of chronic poverty and insecurity (Fantini et al., 2020). What is observed today is not conflicts between states, but a shift that involves state fragility with prolonged and obdurate conflict, often involving coalitions between non-state armed groups and sometimes with the support of regional and international actors. Conflict can reduce the amount of food available, disrupt people’s access to food, limit families’ access to food preparation facilities and health care, and increase uncertainty about satisfying future needs for food and nutrition (Simmons, 2013). Poverty rates are 20 percentage points higher in countries affected by repeated cycles of violence over the last three decades. Every year of violence in a country is associated with lagging poverty reduction of nearly one percentage point (World Bank, 2011).
In the aftermath of armed conflicts, rebuilding livelihoods is essential in the process of peacebuilding and economic revitalization (Young and Goldman, 2015). Young and Goldman (2015) further suggest that re-establishing livelihoods that are dependent on natural resources because of conflict can strengthen food security, help reintegrate ex-combatants and other vulnerable groups, provide employment, and offer opportunities for rebuilding social cohesion, and confidence between former warring parties.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION: Provides the foundation of the research by outlining the background, the research problem, and the specific objectives regarding the impact of armed conflict on food security.
CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW: Examines theoretical frameworks, including the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach, and empirical evidence on the nexus between conflict, food security, and coping strategies.
CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY: Details the research design, population, sampling techniques, data collection methods, and analytical procedures used to assess household food security.
CHAPTER FOUR PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS: Analyzes the quantitative and qualitative data gathered from households to evaluate the impact of conflict and the effectiveness of livelihood interventions.
CHAPTER FIVE: Synthesizes the core findings, provides a final conclusion of the study, and offers recommendations based on the obtained results.
Keywords
Food security, Sustainable Livelihood, armed conflict, Vulnerability context, Coping strategy, Food insecurity Experience scale, Bamenda, Socio-political crisis, Poverty, Resilience, Humanitarian aid, Agricultural production, Household, Displacement, Livelihood interventions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
This research primarily focuses on understanding the impact of the ongoing armed conflict in the Bamenda Municipality of Cameroon on household food security and evaluating the sustainability of the livelihood strategies adopted by affected households.
What are the central thematic areas covered in this work?
The central thematic areas include the relationship between armed conflict and food security, livelihood coping strategies in crisis contexts, vulnerability assessment, and the effectiveness of current humanitarian and development interventions.
What is the main objective or research question?
The main objective is to determine how the ongoing socio-political crisis has impacted household food security and to assess whether the livelihood coping strategies and external interventions currently being utilized are sustainable for the affected population.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The study adopted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional research design, combining both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data analysis involved the use of the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), descriptive statistics, and multiple linear regression models.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers the conceptual and theoretical frameworks of sustainable livelihoods, an empirical review of conflict-induced food insecurity in Africa and Cameroon, detailed methodology, and a comprehensive presentation and discussion of findings from the household surveys conducted in the Bamenda Municipality.
Which keywords characterize this document?
Key terms include Food security, Sustainable Livelihood, Armed conflict, Vulnerability, Coping strategies, FIES (Food Insecurity Experience Scale), and Household resilience.
How does the conflict specifically affect agricultural production in the region?
The conflict severely hinders access to farmlands and markets due to increased physical insecurity. This has led to a significant drop in agricultural production for major food crops such as maize, potatoes, beans, and cassava, and creates major challenges for rural trade and income generation.
What are the core proposals for improving the current situation?
Key recommendations include supporting farm activities through the provision of equipment and inputs, creating decent job opportunities, reinforcing social safety nets, implementing school feeding programs, and urgently prioritizing de-escalation of the conflict.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Fuh George Cheo (Autor:in), 2023, Household Food Security during Armed Conflicts. Livelihood Coping Strategies in the Bamenda Municipality of the Northwest Region of Cameroon, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1369965
