Food security and livelihoods in protracted crisis: the experience of rural residents in Syria’s war zones

Abstract

Food insecurity is an increasingly pressing and grave issue in contemporary Syria. The ongoing crisis has severely affected agriculture in a country which used to be food-producing and self-sufficient. This study addresses the factors that impact household-level food security in Syria. Our analysis is based on 1,381 household surveys using a structured questionnaire in 12 governorates of the country. We followed a two-stage least square regression (2SLS) approach to analyse the interconnected factors of food security. We use three different indicators to capture different dimensions of food security: the Food Consumption Score (FCS), the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), and the Reduced Coping Strategy Index (rCSI). Our findings underscore the vital role of aid programs and post-crisis remedial assistance in bolstering farmers' resilience and enhancing their food security. Despite adverse constraints generated by the prolonged crisis, continued reliance on agricultural activities continued having a positive contribution to food security. Female-headed households experience higher food insecurity than their male-headed counterparts (MHHs). However, Female-headed households excel in nutritional diversity. Both results should be approached carefully due to data limitations. Addressing the repercussions of conflict-induced food insecurity requires mitigating the effects of the proximity of conflict zones and reducing disruptions in food value chains. Future research should consider how food security relates to gender and intra-household gender inequalities during protracted crises.