Determinants of refugees food security : a case study of Kyangwali refugee settlement

Abstract

This study assessed the household food security situation in Kyangwali Refugee settlement and its associated determinants. The main objective was to study the determinants of food security in Kyangwali Refugee settlement using variables from the Demographic characteristics, and the nature of Economic Activities. A household was the measurement unit. This study used a secondary data collection method with a representative sample of 408 households with a household being the unit of measurement. A Binary logistic regression was used to establish determinants of Food Security with model diagnostic tests to establish suitability of the model. From the analysis, it was established that 59% of the households reported Food Security. Food security is achieved when all people have unhindered access to sufficient and nutritious food as they desire. Female Headed Households were significantly associated (OR=2.012, p=0.004) to being food secure as compared to their counterparts that were headed by males. Households that were Rearing Animals/Growing Crops were significantly associated with higher odds (OR=2.874, p=0.007) of being food secure as compared to those that didn’t rear animals/grow crops. Households that had access to seeds for planting were significantly associated with higher odds (OR=4.403, p=0.000) of being food secure in comparison with those that had no access to seeds. Households that had at least a member attending Vocational Training were at significantly higher odds (OR=2.977, p=0.000) of being food secure as compared to their counterparts with no member that has attended a vocational training course. Households that relied on casual labor from the Vocational training skills were significantly at higher odds (OR=2.748, p=0.000) of being Food Secure than those that are not that did not rely on casual labor especially acculturation in a local language which has a positive effect on the capacity of one to find employment in the community. The Food Security situation in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement is at 59% below the national average of 89% and thus the refugees should be provided for land, vocationally trained and skilled so that they can effectively provide for their food needs. The NGOs should also provide seeds/livestock as they encourage refugees to grow crops rather so as to be effective in the long term for food security.