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Food insecurity and COVID‐19 risk in low‐ and middle‐income countries

Author

Listed:
  • Valerie Mueller
  • Karen A. Grépin
  • Atonu Rabbani
  • Bianca Navia
  • Anne S. W. Ngunjiri
  • Nicole Wu

Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic prompted social distancing, workplace closures, and restrictions on mobility and trade that had cascading effects on economic activity, food prices, and employment in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Using longitudinal data from Bangladesh, Kenya, and Nigeria covering a period from October 2020 to April 2021, the paper assesses whether knowledge of a person infected with COVID‐19 is associated with food insecurity, job loss and business closures, and coping strategies to smooth consumption. The likelihood of households to experience food insecurity at the extensive and intensive margins increased among those who knew an infected person in Bangladesh and Kenya.

Suggested Citation

  • Valerie Mueller & Karen A. Grépin & Atonu Rabbani & Bianca Navia & Anne S. W. Ngunjiri & Nicole Wu, 2022. "Food insecurity and COVID‐19 risk in low‐ and middle‐income countries," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(1), pages 92-109, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:apecpp:v:44:y:2022:i:1:p:92-109
    DOI: 10.1002/aepp.13200
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Katherine Kent & Laura Alston & Sandra Murray & Bonnie Honeychurch & Denis Visentin, 2022. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Rural Food Security in High Income Countries: A Systematic Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-29, March.
    2. Ghassan Baliki & Wolfgang Stojetz & Tilman Brück & Mekdim D. Regassa & Damir Esenaliev & Milena Tzvetkova & Monika Schreiner, 2025. "The COVID-19 pandemic and food security: Micro-level evidence from Uganda, Tanzania, Sierra Leone and Mozambique," HiCN Working Papers 439, Households in Conflict Network.
    3. Ceballos, Francisco & Hernandez, Manuel A. & Paz, Cynthia, 2024. "COVID-19 and extreme weather: Impacts on food security and migration attitudes in the rural area of Guatemala," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).

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