Livelihood training, food production, and food security among vulnerable communities in Bangladesh

Abstract Objectives Massive influx of Rohingya refugees increases the risk of food insecurity in host communities in Bangladesh. This study explores intervention-related factors associated with food insecurity in the Bangladesh host households living near Rohingya refugees. Methods This secondary da...

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Main Authors: Andy Tran, Theresa Fang, Beryl Oranga, Ryan Kopper, Yunhee Kang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:Agriculture & Food Security
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-024-00504-1
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author Andy Tran
Theresa Fang
Beryl Oranga
Ryan Kopper
Yunhee Kang
author_facet Andy Tran
Theresa Fang
Beryl Oranga
Ryan Kopper
Yunhee Kang
author_sort Andy Tran
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objectives Massive influx of Rohingya refugees increases the risk of food insecurity in host communities in Bangladesh. This study explores intervention-related factors associated with food insecurity in the Bangladesh host households living near Rohingya refugees. Methods This secondary data analysis used the endline survey data from 660 host households who participated in the World Vision US Emergency Food System Security Project from 2019 to 2021. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the associations between program interventions and household dietary diversity score [HDDS: low (≤ 8) vs high (> 8)] and reduced coping strategy index [rCSI: high (> 3) vs. low (≤ 3)]. Results A total of 64.7% of households (n = 427) had low HDDS, and 10.6% (n = 70) had high rCSI. Purchasing food using cash transfer was associated with higher odds of high rCSI (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.10; 95% CI 1.25–3.53) and low HDDS (AOR = 1.57; 95% CI 1.13–2.18). Those who received food aid had higher odds of low HDDS (AOR = 3.16; 95% CI 1.69–5.89). Participants who farmed had lower odds of having high rCSI and low HDDS [AOR = 0.41 (95% CI 0.21–0.77) and AOR = 0.57 (95% CI 0.34–0.98), respectively]. Conclusion Our findings suggest that interventions focused on livelihood or farming training may yield the greatest reduction in food insecurity among host communities experiencing refugee influx. Humanitarian organizations should consider interventions that develop these farming skills over direct cash or food transfers to promote long-term self-sufficiency in the host population.
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spelling doaj-art-204c01be7c354ae281c4b207d48a55362025-02-02T12:36:23ZengBMCAgriculture & Food Security2048-70102025-01-0113111010.1186/s40066-024-00504-1Livelihood training, food production, and food security among vulnerable communities in BangladeshAndy Tran0Theresa Fang1Beryl Oranga2Ryan Kopper3Yunhee Kang4Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public HealthJohns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public HealthWorld Vision USWorld Vision USJohns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public HealthAbstract Objectives Massive influx of Rohingya refugees increases the risk of food insecurity in host communities in Bangladesh. This study explores intervention-related factors associated with food insecurity in the Bangladesh host households living near Rohingya refugees. Methods This secondary data analysis used the endline survey data from 660 host households who participated in the World Vision US Emergency Food System Security Project from 2019 to 2021. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the associations between program interventions and household dietary diversity score [HDDS: low (≤ 8) vs high (> 8)] and reduced coping strategy index [rCSI: high (> 3) vs. low (≤ 3)]. Results A total of 64.7% of households (n = 427) had low HDDS, and 10.6% (n = 70) had high rCSI. Purchasing food using cash transfer was associated with higher odds of high rCSI (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.10; 95% CI 1.25–3.53) and low HDDS (AOR = 1.57; 95% CI 1.13–2.18). Those who received food aid had higher odds of low HDDS (AOR = 3.16; 95% CI 1.69–5.89). Participants who farmed had lower odds of having high rCSI and low HDDS [AOR = 0.41 (95% CI 0.21–0.77) and AOR = 0.57 (95% CI 0.34–0.98), respectively]. Conclusion Our findings suggest that interventions focused on livelihood or farming training may yield the greatest reduction in food insecurity among host communities experiencing refugee influx. Humanitarian organizations should consider interventions that develop these farming skills over direct cash or food transfers to promote long-term self-sufficiency in the host population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-024-00504-1BangladeshLivelihoodFood insecurityRefugeeHost community
spellingShingle Andy Tran
Theresa Fang
Beryl Oranga
Ryan Kopper
Yunhee Kang
Livelihood training, food production, and food security among vulnerable communities in Bangladesh
Agriculture & Food Security
Bangladesh
Livelihood
Food insecurity
Refugee
Host community
title Livelihood training, food production, and food security among vulnerable communities in Bangladesh
title_full Livelihood training, food production, and food security among vulnerable communities in Bangladesh
title_fullStr Livelihood training, food production, and food security among vulnerable communities in Bangladesh
title_full_unstemmed Livelihood training, food production, and food security among vulnerable communities in Bangladesh
title_short Livelihood training, food production, and food security among vulnerable communities in Bangladesh
title_sort livelihood training food production and food security among vulnerable communities in bangladesh
topic Bangladesh
Livelihood
Food insecurity
Refugee
Host community
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-024-00504-1
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AT beryloranga livelihoodtrainingfoodproductionandfoodsecurityamongvulnerablecommunitiesinbangladesh
AT ryankopper livelihoodtrainingfoodproductionandfoodsecurityamongvulnerablecommunitiesinbangladesh
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