Conflicts, Rural Development and Food Security in West Africa

Margarita Flores
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Margarita Flores: Agricultural and Development Economics Division, Food and Agriculture Organization

No 04-02, Working Papers from Agricultural and Development Economics Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO - ESA)

Abstract: This paper examines food security in the context of conflict in West Africa. The analysis developed in the paper recognises the importance of defining conflict type and the trends in conflict so that conflict and post-conflict policies may be implemented. The relationship between food security and conflict is analysed. Whilst conflict exacerbates food security, food insecurity can itself fuel conflict. Strategies designed to assist in post-war rehabilitation need to address key dimensions of food security: availability, access and stability. It is argued in this paper, that consideration of these three dimensions are necessary joint conditions in moving towards a reduction in the numbers of hungry. The cases of Sierra Leone and Liberia are examined to consider the nature of conflict and how food security is being addresses and the necessary policy implications after prolonged violent conflict. Ghana is examined as an analytical contrast to show that the absence of conflict is not a sufficient condition for growth and reduced hunger.

Keywords: Disasters; Food aid; Food production; Food security; Food supply; Malnutrition; Poverty; Refugees; Rural development; Social unrest; West Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: N47 N57 O13 O18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 21 pages
Date: 2004
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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