Changes in food insecurity indicators and household coping strategies, before and after the food voucher strategy in Medellín, Colombia (2024)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15517/3dfx2846Keywords:
food security, food assistance, vulnerable populations, public policyAbstract
Introduction: Food insecurity refers to the difficulty individuals face in accessing safe food in sufficient quantity and quality to meet their nutritional requirements, in accordance with their tastes and preferences, thereby enabling a healthy and active life. In the District of Medellín, food assistance strategies to ensure access to food among vulnerable groups through the distribution of food packages and vouchers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the periodic delivery of vouchers redeemable for food on households' perceptions of food security and coping strategies using questionnaires administered before and after participation in the project. Methodology: A secondary-source, longitudinal observational study was conducted with a sample of 317 households benefiting from the food voucher program during 2024. The results of the measurements taken before and after the intervention were analyzed using the food insecurity perception and coping strategies questionnaires, comparing the changes observed at both times. Results: The provision of food vouchers had a positive effect on reducing the classification of perceived food insecurity reflected in decreased median score from 12 to 5 points and the changes in RCSI scores from 21 to 10 points, indicating more than half following the intervention. Conclusions: Although the periodic distribution of food vouchers had a positive effect on the perception of food security and on reducing coping strategies among beneficiary households, given the multifactorial nature of food insecurity, this strategy should be complemented by actions aimed at strengthening livelihoods and improving the socioeconomic conditions of households.
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