Through 51 interviews and 14 focus group discussions, the researchers examined the layered impacts of fragility, conflict and climate shocks and stresses on food security and nutrition in IDP camps and host communities at three sites in Southwest State: Baidoa, Barawe and Elbarde. They also asked how people were coping with impacts and what assistance they would like to receive. The perspectives of women and men were sought (separately), as well as those from people living with disability or illness, or caring for a disabled or ill person.

This brief and related report will support Action Against Hunger's regional project, ‘Multisectoral humanitarian response to the deteriorating nutrition situation focusing on severely affected crisis contexts in sub-Saharan Africa’. The project aims to improve the nutritional status of crisis-affected populations in seven countries, and to informs better ways for aid agencies to tackle the impacts of ‘layered crises’, where long-term fragile governance and conflict, compounded by recurring shocks, reduce people’s resilience and food security. More information about ODI's contribution to this work, and links to the other reports, can be found here.

Authors: Sarah Opitz-Stapleton, Muzzamil Alhaji Abdi Sheikh and Leigh Mayhew