Vulnerability and Food Security Relationships

The FBS which is explained in our last post shows how government can trace and have some idea of food stocks in the country. The FBS does not provide a complete picture on the food situation and so government turns to other sources of data. Now we shall introduce you to the concept of vulnerability and food security. Vulnerability assessment is very important in profiling households. It allows us to separate households between those that are secure and those that are food insecure. We shall further demonstrate how vulnerability assessments are an important mechanism in determining the food security situation at household level.

Definition of Vulnerability

Vulnerability is the inadequate capacity by an individual, a household or a community to withstand shocks on their own without any form of external intervention. The shocks may result from natural factors or due to human action. These shocks include natural hazards such as droughts, floods, human and livestock disease outbreaks, pest infestations, etc.. On the ‘other hand, human induced shocks include wars, high inflation, unemployment, high taxes, poor infrastructure, etc.Several factors contribute to household vulnerability to food insecurity in Zambia. These include household income levels, age of the head of the household, education level of household head, gender of household head, size and structure of household. Others include labour constraints (due to poor health and effects of HIV/AIDS), food production levels, food prices, household food taste and distance to food markets.

Household Income Levels

Households with low incomes and those that depend on single (undiversified) sources of income tend to be more vulnerable to food insecurity and particularly, if they do not produce their own adequate food. Such households fail to access food even if food is available at markets, because they cannot afford it from their low incomes.

Age of Household Head

Households headed by very old (aged) people and child-headed households are prone to household food insecurity. This is largely due to inadequate or lack of labour for food production and/or income generation.

Education of Household Head

Education is important in determining the poverty and food security status of households as it widens the options for acquisition of resources necessary for the provision of household basic needs, thereby reducing vulnerability. The probability is high that households headed by educated individuals will not be severely food insecure.

Gender of Household Head

There is a strong relationship between poverty and gender that relates directly to food insecurity. Female-headed households are more likely to be food insecure as compared with male-headed households Size and Structure of Household:The larger the size of the household the higher the likelihood of it being food insecure. In most households, not all members contribute to making food available and yet all members consume food. In general terms, the larger the family size the more the food needs/requirements. Households with a higher proportion of young (children) and very old people also tend to be food insecure.

Food Prices and Distance to Markets

Household food insecurity is more common in places or situations where food prices are higher, Food insecurity due to high food prices is exacerbated by low household incomes, especially for households which do not produce their own food. Long distances to food markets also pose physical limitations to food accessibility.

Household Food Taste

Households that primarily depend on maize (nshima) consumption for food, as is common in Zambia, appear to be ‘artificially’ food insecure. The other alternative food crops may be available but may not be utilized effectively because they are considered to be non-staples.

Household Labour Constraint

This is another factor that adversely affects household food security. Family labour constraints arise due to various reasons, including poor health and effects of HIV/AIDS and; size and structure of the household. Its main effect is on lowering food production and income generation due to reduced family labour force and reduced labour time as a result of sickness and care for the sick, especially with regard to HIV/AIDS-infected household members.

Vulnerability Information

This refers to data and information pertaining to the extent to which households and communities are vulnerable, the characteristics of vulnerable households and communities and where they are located. The information also includes the type and magnitude of shock or shocks that the target population is facing.

Vulnerability Assessments

Also known as rapid surveys, vulnerability assessments are conducted in order to generate objective information that will guide decision makers and other actors in addressing vulnerability problems both in the short term and long term horizons. They compare the current situation with a minimum ideal situation and some form of baseline on what conditions obtained at one time in the past.