Coping mechanisms and strategies to mitigate food and nutrition insecurity effects on disaster stricken households in Brgy. [village] Ilog, Infanta, Quezon, Philippines
2007
Pablo, A.K.C.
The study determined households' coping mechanisms and strategies to mitigate food and nutrition insecurity effects on the 2004 typhoon on Brgy. [village] Ilog, Infanta, Quezon. Specifically, it described the relationship between coping strategies/mechanisms and socioeconomic and nutritional status of households. From a total population of 470 households from Brgy. Ilog, 96 randomly selected households with zero to five year old children were chosen and classified as normal and underweight. The mother of each household served as respondent and the child's nutritional status was determined using anthropometry. Quantitative data on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, food supply and food security were gathered using an interview guide. Qualitative data were gathered and validated through key informant interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). The typhoon negatively affected the food and nutrition security by decreasing food production and supply at the community and household levels. Households with normal preschool children differed from households with underweight preschoolers in terms of household food production activities, food source and the number of meals before, during and after the disaster. During the disaster, households employed paternal buffering, meal reduction and reliance on charity for food from institutions. Contingency coefficient scores showed no significant association between socioeconomic and nutritional status and the coping mechanisms employed. The study recommends proper targeting of recipients of food and non-food aid assessment of nutritional content of food aid and food fortification, provision of livelihood opportunities for victims and educational campaign.
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