Hunger Crisis in Kenya: Urgent Need for Targeted and Equitable Policies
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Date
2023-07
Authors
Giovanis, Eleftherios
Ozdamar, Oznur
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Economic Research Consortium
Abstract
The covid-19pandemichas led to a significant loss of jobs and income in Sub-Saharan Africa, causing food insecurity and hunger for many households. The timing of the epidemic added stress to already fragile food security and distribution networks. Food security was already threatened by conflicts, natural disasters, and climate change on a transcontinental scale before the spread of COVID-19. The study reveals that coping strategies, such as reducing non-food consumption, delaying payment obligations, and purchasing credits, are not enough to ensure food security for all. These coping strategies require an increase in wealth and household expenditures to equalize the food security level of households with those who have not adopted any coping strategy. The findings highlight the need for targeted and equitable policies to address the discrepancies across gender and socio-economic groups and achieve food security for all.