The Food Security Monitoring Report for Bangladesh covering October to December 2023, released by the World Food Programme (WFP), provides insights into the food security situation in the country during this period. The report highlights the impact of employment opportunities during the harvest month on overall food security.
Key findings from the report indicate a 3 percent improvement in the food security situation compared to the previous month. This improvement is attributed to increased income and stability in purchasing power resulting from harvest-time agricultural income. The impact varied among different livelihood groups, with daily laborers and small/marginal farm households experiencing income increases. However, challenges persisted for certain groups, such as garment workers and petty traders, who faced income losses due to nationwide blockades and the closure of garment factories amid a global crisis.
Despite overall improvement, households headed by females and those with disabilities continued to face difficulties in achieving food security and well-being. The survey revealed disparities in food insecurity across income levels, with low-income households being the most affected. High food prices, health expenditures, and debt remained primary drivers of food insecurity. Concerns over rising food prices were widespread, with 90 percent of households citing it as their deepest concern, regardless of their income levels.
While the percentage of households relying on negative coping strategies slightly decreased due to income increases, a significant portion still resorted to livelihood-based coping mechanisms such as borrowing money or selling productive assets to purchase food. The prevalence of stress and emergency coping strategies increased over the season, indicating ongoing challenges in meeting food needs.
Overall, the report underscores the importance of addressing persistent challenges in food security, particularly for vulnerable groups, and highlights the need for continued efforts to mitigate the impact of factors such as high food prices and income losses on households' well-being.
Please find the original version of the report below:
Photo credit: WFP
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