Assessment of Food Security and Coping Strategies among Women Refugees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2020-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study assessed the food security status and coping strategies among women refugees in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data was collected through a review of related literature,
questionnaire-based survey, and key informant interviews. Questionnaire-based survey was
administered based on stratified random sampling to ensure proper representation of
different refugee nationalities. About 79% of women refugees found to be severely food
insecure while 8%, 6% and 7% were moderately food insecure, mildly food insecure and food
secure, respectively. This was related with the limited diversification of income sources, lack
of access to basic services, high cost of living that compromised consumption, and unreliable
nature of remittances and aid. Refugees had limited market opportunities because of lack of
work permit and business capital as well as strict government control and childcare
responsibilities. Rationing strategy was found to be the most important strategy that involves
altering meal size and frequency while sending children to beg, child laboring, live in poor
accommodation and commercial sex were identified among the negative coping mechanisms.
Food insecurity of urban refugees can be tackled through integration of refugees to the
national system pertaining housing and food security programs to ease the burden of the high
cost of living. Inclusion of vulnerable urban refugees to existing social security initiatives and
designing of urban refugee housing program can improve well-being and tackle the
oversighted urban refugee food insecurity. Advocacy and promotion of decent work
environment with extended access to right to work, introduction of women-centered programs
that focus on building self-reliance are the key recommendations of the study.
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Keywords
urban refugees, migration, food insecurity, coping strategies, decent work