SPECIAL ISSUE (2nd EIC-2024) PUBLISHED BY E-PALLI PUBLISHERS, DELAWARE, USA 2nd E-Palli International Conferences (EIC) | 2024 13 E-Palli International Conferences on Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (EIC-STEM) www.conferences.e-palli.com 2nd E-Palli International Conferences (EIC) 14 April 2024 Kathmandu, Nepal Impact of Unconditional Support to Reduce Food Insecurity During the Pandemic of Covid 19 Dibash Chandra Karki1* ABSTRACT Vulnerable populations are always highly affected by any disaster. They have deficient coping capacity as they depend on daily income activities and need a diversified source of income. So, those people are highly impacted by any disease. The result of such a disaster may lead to food insecurity. Methods: For the survey, 1,598 people who got unconditional support were under consideration. Out of the total population, 317 samples were surveyed using proportionate random sampling for the study. The research methodology is a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) with a Pretest-Posttest Design. A smart survey through KOBO tools was done using trained local enumerators. Data collected through the survey was downloaded to Excel and analysed using Excel. Results: Cereals (99%) was the most consumed food type, while white tuber and root (2.2%) were the least consumed. Food consumed in four or more types increased from 42% to 87%. Livelihood Coping Strategies indicator (L-CSI) was used as a descriptor of a household’s coping capacity alongside the R-CSI. The responses were categorized into stress, crisis, and emergency strategies. The number of HHs under the crisis category reduced from 15.4% to 4.1%. Similarly, the number of households under the Emergency category reduced from 12.3% to 3.8%, and the number of crises reduced from 58.2 % to 6.8% Conclusion: The study showed from the calculation R-CS that conditional support of the vulnerable people increased by nearly one-third (35%) within a month of support and helped them with coping strategies. Keywords: Livelihood Coping Strategies Index, Reduced Coping Strategy Index, 3.7.5. Household Dietary Diversity Score INTRODUCTION Background The triggered crisis of COVID-19 raised along from the first wave to third wave exponential in the cases. The country was swift to mandate complete lockdown in first and second wave, but scenario of the third wave is a bit different. As there were fewer lockdowns but the cases were high during the third wave. Large number of laborers/wage earners, migrant workers, farmers, or business entrepreneurs have suffered from the chaos of the crisis. Having an extensive impact on livelihood options, small local market vendors were unable to continue their enterprises, unable to pay the loans and were struggling to find new livelihood opportunities to run their livelihood. COVID-19 severely affected the lives of families especially to population relying on daily wages and agriculture as income sources. Not only income sources were depleted, but also the produced agri-products could not reach to market and daily wage amount (per day) got reduced significantly. Families were forced to adopt diverse coping strategies (mostly negative among families from the vulnerable state), causing further issues on the nutritional status of children, women, and senior citizens. Sarlahi district (HDI 0.402), lies in Madhesh province with an income per capita of $570, around 26% of the population lives below the poverty line in (UNDP rapid assessment report 2020). The report further indicates that 47% of the population are multi-dimensionally poor and the provinces’ HDI stands at 0.421. The literacy rate for the age group 15 to 49 years is the lowest of all provinces for both genders: 38% for women and 78% for men. The expansion and re-emerging of new variants of COVID-19 imposed a higher risk of transmission in border districts like Sarlahi, as people became reluctant in following safety measures and protocol. The census data 2014 shows that the HDI seemed to be low in the proposed working areas i.e. 1 Sinamangal-9, Kathmandu * Corresponding author: dibashkarkicds@gmail.com DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajiri.v3i4.3775 2nd E-Palli International Conferences (EIC) | 2024 14 Haripur Municipality (0.39), Malangwa Municipality (0.44) and Barahattwa Municipality (0.39). These proposed LGs lie near to Nepal-India border and are highly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and are also at high risk of multi-hazard including flood disaster. In this context, local Government of sarlahi district provided the cash (through cash for work) and livestock to improve the livelihood status and food security condition of COVID-19 affected families in Sarlahi district of Madhesh province. Map of Surveyed Palika Sarlahi is a Terai district situated in the so-called Janakpur Zone mostly with low and plain land located in the Madhesh province of Nepal. Figure 1: Map of Surveyed Palika The District Headquarters (DHQ), Malangawa, is 25km south of the East-West National Highway (Nawalpur) and can also be reached by road from Janakpur (88km) and from Simara Airport (95km). Local Governments survey highlighted areas. Objectives of Study The pre- and post-surveys were conducted to compare the food security index of the people supported in the Sarlahi district. In more specific terms, the objectives were: • To identify the change in food sufficiency level. • Compare the supported people's reduced coping index (R-CSI) and Livelihood Coping strategy (L-CSI). • And to find the changes in the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). METHODOLOGY This study adopted quantitative and qualitative methods to collect data/information and interpret the results. Primary data was collected from the survey. While qualitative pieces of information were gathered from documents review, key informants’ interviews (KII). 2nd E-Palli International Conferences (EIC) | 2024 15 S.N. Coping Strategy No. of Days (0-7) Weight Score (Frequency *Weight) 1 Rely on less preferred and less expensive foods? 1 2 Borrow food, or rely on help from a friend or relative? 2 3 Limit portion size at mealtimes? 1 4 Restrict consumption by adults in order for small children to eat? 3 5 Reduce number of meals eaten in a day? 1 Population and sample For the survey total population was taken 1598 (555-cash supported, 1043-Agri Input support). Out of the total population, 317 samples were surveyed using proportionate random sampling for the study. Data Quality Assurance All enumerators were selected from the local community so that they know the local language and culture to get in-depth information and easily communicate. After one day of orientation on interview techniques and KOBO application, enumerators were deployed for the survey. The survey was based on mobile technology. The enumerators were asked to collect data with the members listed in the sample if he/she is available at the time of the survey. If not, ask another adult member of the same household. Prior consent with the interviewee was compulsory before asking questions. The individual respondent was free to answer all or only part of the questionnaire based on his/her choice. In the case of non-response, enumerators were instructed to interview the immediate next member of the same group. The survey questionnaire and Key Informant Interview (KII) checklist were primarily used in the survey. All the tools are developed in the English language. Once finalized, it is translated into the local language (Nepali). KII tools focused on qualitative information on thematic areas – Food Security, Coping Strategy, COVID-19 impact on daily lives, market scenario, Government’s priorities, needs (short-term and long-term), relevancy, satisfaction, and other cross-cutting areas. Ethical consideration This study was conducted in compliance with ethical and human rights standards. Survey procedures were designed to protect participants’ privacy, allowing anonymity and voluntary participation. Prior verbal consent from all survey and meeting participants was obtained before the interview and KII. The study team, however, encouraged the selected respondents to participate in interviews. Before initiating the interview, confidentiality of the information was provided, and consent to proceed was sought. The study team has maintained the privacy of the respondents' information, including photographs and opinions. Theoretical review for the calculation Average Coping Strategies Index (R-CSI): Q. In the past seven days, if there have been times when you did not have enough food or money to buy food, how often has your household had to: Or Alternatively for Context Specific Coping Strategy Index S.N. Coping Strategy No. of Days (0-7) Weight Score (Frequency *Weight) 1 Rely on less preferred and less expensive foods? 1 2 Borrow food, or rely on help from a friend or relative? 2 3 Purchase food on credit? 2 4 Gather wild food, hunt or harvest immature crops 4 5 Consume seed stock held for next season 3 6 Send household members to eat elsewhere 2 7 Send household members to beg 4 2nd E-Palli International Conferences (EIC) | 2024 16 Livelihood Coping Strategies Index (L-CSI) During the past 30 days, did anyone in your household have to engage in any following behaviours due to lack of food or a lack of money to buy food. 8 Limit portion size at mealtimes 1 9 Restrict consumption by adults in order for small children to eat 2 10 Feed working members at the expense of non-working members 2 11 Reduce number of meals eaten in a day 2 12 Skip entire days without eating 4 Food Consumption Score (FCS) Q How many days over the last 7 days, did members of your household eat the following food items, prepared and/or consumed at home? Main components/steps: • Frequency of consumption (in days) is asked over a recall period of seven days. • Food items are grouped into nine standard groups with a maximum value of seven days/week. • Those values are then multiplied by a weighting factor and summed to obtain the FCS. The main food groups and their weights are as follows:Standard threshold for FCS Food Group Food Items (examples) Weight 1. Main staples Maize, maize porridge, rice, sorghum, millet, bread, cassava, plantains, potatoes, sweet potatoes, other tubers 2 2. Pulses Beans, peas, groundnuts, cashew nuts 3 3. Vegetables Vegetables, leafy greens 1 4. Fruit Fresh and dried fruits 1 5. Meat and fish Beef, goat, pork, chicken, duck, fish, eggs 4 6. Milk and dairy Milk, yogurt, kefir, and other dairy 4 7. Sugar Sugar, honey, candy, other products with sugar 0.5 2nd E-Palli International Conferences (EIC) | 2024 17 Standard thresholds Thresholds with oil and sugar eaten on a daily basis (~7 days a week) Food consumption profile 0 - 21 0 - 28 Poor 21.5 - 35 28.5 - 42 Borderline > 35 > 42 Acceptable ANALYSIS Demographic In total 317 samples were surveyed through the household survey, where 104 were from Barahttwa and Haripur equally and 109 were from Malangwa municipality, where 63% were female respondents and 37% were male respondents. LG Female Male Grand Total Barahttwa 57 47 104 Haripur 69 35 104 Malangwa 75 34 109 Total 201 (63%) 116 (37%) 317 Labels Brahmin/Chhetri/ Thakuri (BCT) Dalit Hill Dalit Tarai Janajati Hill Janajati Tarai Madheshi Muslim Barahttwa (n=104) 0.96% 0.00% 21.15% 4.81% 53.85% 18.27% 0.96% Haripur (n=104) 0.00% 0.00% 49.04% 0.00% 19.23% 17.31% 14.42% Malangwa (n=109) 0.00% 0.92% 54.13% 0.00% 0.00% 43.12% 1.83% Total (N=317) 0.32% 0.32% 41.64% 1.58% 23.97% 26.50% 5.68% Labels Bachelor’s and above High School Secondary Primary Literate only Illiterate Barahttwa 0.00% 2.88% 8.65% 6.73% 8.65% 73.08% Haripur 0.00% 0.96% 4.81% 9.62% 3.85% 80.77% Malangwa 0.92% 2.75% 4.59% 7.34% 9.17% 75.23% Total 0.32% 2.21% 5.99% 7.89% 7.26% 76.34% 8. Oil Oil, butter, ghee, other fats 0.5 9. Condiments Spices, coffee, tea, salt, small amounts of milk or fish powder 0 Standard Threshold For FCS Ethnicity Among the respondents surveyed from the livelihood-supported respondents highest nearly 42% were from the Dalit community, Madhesi 27%, Janajati 25%, Muslim 6%, and the remaining were from BCT. Educational Status Based on the educational status, as in the baseline survey, this also showed that the illiterate population was highest in the program implemented areas. More than three-fourths (76%) were found Illiterate population, similarly, 8% found attended primary school, 7% were literate from non-formal education, 6% were attended secondary school, 2% attended high school and very less than 1% were bachelor’s degree holders. Family Members Contributing to HH Income More than 60% of households depend upon the income of the single or no (nobody for reliable income) member of the family, which is not a good system based on food security. For food security, multiple members and multiple sources of income are counted as good for food security. 2nd E-Palli International Conferences (EIC) | 2024 18 No. of family members contributing to HH income 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Barahttwa 0.00% 16.72% 13.25% 2.21% 0.63% 0.00% 0.00% Haripur 2.84% 21.45% 7.26% 1.26% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Malangwa 1.89% 17.67% 11.67% 1.89% 0.63% 0.32% 0.32% Total 4.73% 55.84% 32.18% 5.36% 1.26% 0.32% 0.32% Major Source of Income From the survey, it is observed that daily wage is the main source of income for the 84% HHs remaining 7% SME, Remittance 6%, Other agri 5%, Salary and pension 4%, Vegetable 3% respectively. This showed that even though the intervention area has a lot of potential for vegetable farming, people are not farming vegetables for business purposes. This intervention activity will play an essential role in motivating the farmer, and such results are expected in the future. Source of income Number of HH % (Multiple Choice) Daily Wage 266 83.9% Small and Medium Scale Business 22 6.9% Remittance 19 6.0% Agri-Other Sources 15 4.7% Job/Salary 9 2.8% Vegetable Sales 9 2.8% Pension/Government Allowance 3 0.9% Livestock Sales 0 0.0% Average Income Intervention was focused on economic recovery activities, basically agriculture/livestock and short-term income-generating activities like CfW. The income is comparable only to these activities. In comparison to the baseline average annual income from vegetables, sales increased by 12.5%, average annual income increased in Small and Medium Scale businesses by 79%, and income from daily wages increased by 9 % which might be the daily wages opportunity created by the infrastructure renovation through CfW modality. Average income After intervention Before Source of Income Barahttwa Haripur Malangwa Overall Overall Vegetable Sales 22857 25000 50000 26,111 23,200 Agri-Other Sources/crops. Cereals 51001 26667 0 46,134 25,182 Small and Medium Scale Business 7075 50200 108909 67,793 37,778 Job/Salary 15000 600 170000 99,511 74753 Daily Wage 19177 42206 93197 53,318 48,991 Pension/Government Allowance 23000 0 0 23,000 38,167 Remittance 23333 170000 143751 135,790 118,964 Livestock Sales 0 0 0 0 Food Security Food security is the state of having reliable access to enough, affordable, nutritious food. Food security has declined dramatically in many developing countries especially during and after the COVID-19. This survey is trying to compare the status of food security before and after the support received. Food Insufficiency for the Last Twelve Months Respondents were asked about their food insufficiency for the whole year and the same question was asked during the baseline 2nd E-Palli International Conferences (EIC) | 2024 19 as well. While comparing baseline value with the endline, it is noted that overall food insufficiency was dramatically reduced by 64%. While comparing all LGs food insufficient reduced maximum in Malangawa. The period of June to September is among the periods where families usually face the scenario of food insecurity. Food insecurity was found to drastically down even in the major food insecure months. The highest % of food insecure households were Shrawan Month with 44% HHs during the baseline, but in the same month food insecure households reduced to 2.5%. From the chart below, we can say that the food insecure households reduced in all months of the whole year. Reasons for Food Insecurity Major reasons for food insecurity were found to be severe sickness and natural diseases (27%). The second highest was cropping pest outbreak (21%), and the third highest was COVID impact (15%). The survey found that 50% of households’ food insecurity was created by COVID (loss of job, sickness, and COVID itself). 2nd E-Palli International Conferences (EIC) | 2024 20 Reduced Coping Strategy Index (R-CSI) Reduced Coping Strategy Index (R-CSI) helps to understand the scenario of HHs in terms of adopting diverse coping strategies to manage the food over 7 days prior to the surveyed date. R-CSI is the lowered version of generally used coping strategy index, which has been contextualized and lowered down to five coping strategies as per the local context. Based on the weighted score, the R-CSI has been categorised into high (>=19), moderate (9-18), Mild (4-8), and No/Low Insecure (0-3). Based on R-CSI calculation, 51.9% were food secured during the baseline which significantly increased to 87%, and the percentage of food-insecure households reduced to 13% from 48.1% food-insecure households. Local Government No/Low Food Insecure Mild Food Insecure Moderately food insecure High/Severely food insecure Barahttwa (n=12) 91.67% 8.33% 0.00% 0.00% Haripur (n=5) 80.00% 20.00% 0.00% 0.00% Malangwa(n= 6) 83.33% 16.67% 0.00% 0.00% Post test, Total (N=23) 86.96% 13.04% 0.00% 0.00% Pretest, Total (N=106) 51.9% 34.9% 10.4% 2.8% Livelihood Coping Strategy Index (L-CSI) Livelihood Coping Strategies related indicator was used as a descriptor of a household’s coping capacity alongside the R-CSI. The response received during baseline survey helped to understand the stress and insecurity faced by HHs and described their capacity to cope with future food shortages. The responses were categorized into stress, crisis, and emergency strategies. The number of HHs under the crisis category reduced from 15.4% to 4.1%. Similarly, the number of households under the Emergency category reduced from 12.3% to 3.8%, and the number of crises reduced from 58.2 % to 6.8% Category Strategy Barahttwa (n=104) Haripur (n=104) Malangwa (n=109) Grand Total (N=317) Pretest Crisis Withdrew children from school 1.9% 1.0% 0.0% 0.9% 2.80% Reduced non-food expenses 3.8% 1.0% 0.0% 1.6% 8.00% Sold productive assets 3.8% 1.0% 0.0% 1.6% 4.60% Total 9.6% 2.9% 0.0% 4.1% 15.40% Emergency Sold house or land 1.9% 0.0% 0.0% 0.6% 2.50% Sold last female animals 2.9% 1.0% 0.0% 1.3% 4.90% Begging 2.9% 1.9% 0.9% 1.9% 4.90% Total 7.7% 2.9% 0.9% 3.8% 12.30% Stress Spent savings 3.8% 1.9% 0.0% 1.9% 14.20% Borrowed money/food 3.8% 1.9% 0.0% 1.9% 33.20% Sold more animals (non- productive) than usual 2.9% 1.0% 0.0% 1.3% 4.00% Sold household assets/goods 3.8% 1.0% 0.0% 1.6% 6.80% Total 14.4% 5.8% 0.0% 6.6% 58.20% Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) Household dietary diversity score (HDDS) is a qualitative measure of food consumption that reflects household access to a variety of foods. The Household Diversity Score provides help to understand the food consumption pattern among intervention intervened HHs during the 24 hours prior to surveyed period. Cereal (99%) was the most consumed food type, while white tuber and root (2.2%) was the least consumed food type. This survey helped categorize the intervention targeted HHs based on their dietary consumption pattern. HHs were categorized into low (0-4 diet type), average (5-8 diet type), and good (9-12 diet type). The low dietary percentage was reduced to 13% from 58%, and the average dietary percentage increased to 87% from 38%. Overall, food consumed by four or more types increased from 42% to 87%, which is a significantly good result. 2nd E-Palli International Conferences (EIC) | 2024 21 Label Barahttwa Haripur Malangwa Grand Total Cereals 32.8% 32.5% 33.8% 99.1% White tubers and roots 0.6% 0.9% 0.6% 2.2% Vegetables 30.6% 27.8% 18.9% 77.3% Fruits 3.8% 2.2% 1.9% 7.9% Meat 11.0% 8.5% 1.3% 20.8% Eggs 0.9% 7.3% 0.3% 8.5% Fish 1.6% 5.0% 0.9% 7.6% Legumes, nuts, and seeds 6.3% 1.9% 1.3% 9.5% Milk and milk products 7.9% 11.7% 11.4% 30.9% Oils and fats 0.6% 1.9% 0.0% 2.5% Sweets 0.3% 3.8% 0.0% 4.1% Spices, condiments, and beverages 9.1% 11.4% 5.0% 25.6% Labels Barahttwa Haripur Malangwa Total Pretest Low 5.36% 6.62% 0.63% 12.62% 57.8% Average 27.44% 26.18% 33.75% 87.38% 37.5% Good 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 4.6% Total 32.81% 32.81% 34.38% 100.00% 100.0% Average No. of food items consumed 3.2 3.5 2.2 3.0 4.3.0 FINDING/RESULT Cereals (99%) was the most consumed food type, while white tuber and root (2.2%) were the least consumed. Food consumed in four or more types increased from 42% to 87%. Livelihood Coping Strategies indicator (L-CSI) was used as a descriptor of a household’s coping capacity alongside the R-CSI. The responses were categorized into stress, crisis, and emergency strategies. The number of HHs under the crisis category reduced from 15.4% to 4.1%. Similarly, the number of households under the Emergency category reduced from 12.3% to 3.8%, and the number of crises reduced from 58.2 % to 6.8%. CONCLUSION The study showed from the calculation R-CS that conditional support of the vulnerable people increased by nearly one-third (35%) within a month of support and helped them with coping strategies. Acknowledgments The authors are thankful to the ADRA Nepal for their contributions to data collection for this study. The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the authors’ institutions. Acronym ADRA Adventist Development and Relief Agency C-CSI Context-Specific Coping Strategy Index CFW Cash for Work CFRM Complaint Feedback and Response Management CHS Core Humanitarian Standard DQA Data Quality Assurance FCS Food Consumption Score FGD Focus Group Discussion GESI Gender Equality and Social Inclusion HDDS Household Dietary Diversity Score HH Household 2nd E-Palli International Conferences (EIC) | 2024 22 KII Key Informant Interview L-CSI Livelihood Coping Strategies Index LG Local Government NGO Non-Government Organization PwD Person with Disability R-CSI Reduced Coping Strategy Index RM Rural Municipality REFERENCES Aryal, J. P., Rahut, D. B., & Gartaula, H. N. (2021). Gendered analysis of food security gaps in rural Nepal 1279, ADBI Working Paper. IFAD, F., WFP. (2020). Gender Transformative Approaches for Food Security, Improved Nutrition and Sustainable Agriculture: A Compendium of Fifteen Good Practices. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 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