Food security strategies in disaster and humanitarian emergencies: A review article

Introduction: Relief programs purpose in food emergencies is not only to distribute food but also to maintain food security of the affected population. This goal is achieved by some simple and effective strategies. This study aims to introduce strategies what could be used as a way to get food security in disaster and humanitarian emergencies.Method: The review study was conducted to explore strategies of food security in disaster and humanitarian emergencies. Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, Food andAgriculture Organization (FAO) and World health Organization (WHO) were searched. Our key words were disaster OR Humanitarian emergencies” AND Food aid” OR food Security”. Thirty article were reviewed and food security strategies were categorized in three pillars.Result: Pay local people to work on a project, food imports, improving rural production, early warning and assessment information were introduced as strategies which could enhance food availability. Creating a market place, microfinance program, school feeding, lowering taxes and increasing subsidies to reduce prices, food aid and improve employment opportunities also could increase accessibility of affected people to food. For stability of food security, credit with education programs, the empowerment of women, consult with women during the food in affected area, local food habits and cultural acceptability are introduced strategy by literature.Conclusion: Maintaining food security in disaster response and recovery need some creative strategies. Although, food aid is the first initial strategy to provide food security, it is not the possible way to reach to this goal. Therefore, disaster managers should to think to other ways for improving food security in affected area.

کلیدواژه ها:

Disaster ، Humanitarian emergency ، Food aid ، Food security