Assessing Households’ Food Insecurity Affected by Climate Change in Koshk e Robat Sangi District, Herat Province

Abstract

Physically and economically, access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for an active and healthy life is a basic human right. We assessed the households’ food insecurity in Koshk e Robat Sangi district using the household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS). In this research, 383 standard questionnaires were distributed to the households in different villages of the districts, and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The level of food insecurity was varied among the participants. Seventy-seven percent of the participants expressed concern about food insecurity in their households during the last 30 days. Most participants (91.9%) were not able to consume desired food, had limited variety of food and ate food that they did not desire due to lack of resources. The insufficient food intake by the investigated population shows that 27% are classified as moderately food insecure, and 37.9 % are severely food insecure. The findings of the research indicate that participants live with food insecure condition, which 75.4 % of participants live in a food insecure condition. Climate changes, rapid population growth and technological barriers are known as leading causes of food insecurity. Providing financial support to low-income households and management of natural resources could improve food security.