Understanding the Food Insecurity and Coping Strategies of Indigenous Households during COVID-19 Crisis in Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study examined the food insecurity and coping mechanisms among the indigenous Bangladeshi population of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region to extract empirical evidence on the ongoing discussion on the COVID-19 pandemic-exacerbated food-insecurity situation. The study adopted a qualitative approach by interviewing 60 indigenous households. Data were collected in two phases between 15 June 2020, and 30 July 2021 in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region. Thematic data analyses were performed using the Granheim approach and NVivo-12 software. The authors used Huston’s social–ecological theory to explain the indigenous coping mechanisms. The research evidence revealed that most households experienced challenges over daily foods, manifesting in the decreasing consumption of them, the increased price of food items, a food crisis due to an income shock, malnutrition, the shifting to unhealthy food consumption, starvation and hunger, and food insufficiency, thereby leading to mental stress. This study further revealed that the indigenous population took crucial coping strategies to survive the pandemic. In response to COVID-19, they took loans and borrowed foods, reduced expenses, changed their food habits, avoided nutritional foods, relied on vegetables, sold domestic animals and properties, collected forest and hill foods, and depended on governmental and societal relief. This study also provides the in-depth policy actions for the urgent intervention of government, stakeholders, policymakers, NGOs, and development practitioners to take necessary initiatives to enhance the quality of life of the people that were affected by the post-pandemic recovery period.

Role of Agriculture on Rural Household Food Security: A Systematic Review from Indonesia

“…In rural areas where agriculture is the main livelihood source, communities must adapt to drastic lifestyle changes. It impacts lower purchasing power for food and reduces the energy adequacy rate [12,20,43].…”

“…The occurrence of acute food insecurity during disasters, including global pandemic COVID-19 contributes to approximately 10% of the worldwide prevalence of food insecurity [19]. The copping strategy to address this issue is through compromising on the quality and quantity of food, selling assets, and borrowing money [20]. Prior to COVID-19, urban and rural communities faced unequal access to food.…”

“…Most countries have returned to pre-pandemic conditions. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has left unresolved issues in the food system that require IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1324/1/012132 3 further action [19,20]. It is crucial to acknowledge the possibility of future disease pandemics, especially the emergence of new infectious diseases (EID) with global implications [21,22].…”

COVID-19-induced changes to food consumption and perceived well-being among low-income consumers in Trinidad and Tobago

“…Integrative model of COVID-19 risk perceptions, food consumption and perceived well-being As several studies now demonstrate, the pandemic motivated changes to food consumption and nutrition diversity, with the impact being particularly severe among the lower socioeconomic strata. Sohel et al (2022) for instance reported a shift to unhealthy food consumption among indigenous households in Bangladesh, which was associated with elevated levels of mental stress, while Geng et al (2022) noted a reduction in Pakistani household food diversity and nutrition composition during the pandemic. A similar trend was observed among the indigenous population in Fiji (Leweniqila and Vunibola, 2020), while a study among slum dwellers in Uganda revealed that respondents had limited access to a balanced diet and had reduced how frequently they ate during the pandemic (Nuwematsiko et al, 2022).…”

“…As several studies now demonstrate, the pandemic motivated changes to food consumption and nutrition diversity, with the impact being particularly severe among the lower socio-economic strata. Sohel et al . (2022) for instance reported a shift to unhealthy food consumption among indigenous households in Bangladesh, which was associated with elevated levels of mental stress, while Geng et al .…”