Food and Power in Protracted Crisis: How Systems and Institutions Influence Livelihoods, Food Security, and Nutrition.

Jaspars, Susanne

Abstract

This article examines how systems and institutions influence the distribution of resources in society and, as such, affect livelihoods, food security, and nutrition. It draws on research on the political economy of food, and the governance effects of food aid practices, conducted in Sudan and Somalia and on the role of a social approach to nutrition in situations of famine and mass starvation. This article argues first for the importance of examining political structures as basic causes of malnutrition as they influence whether and how institutions function (in relation to land, markets, employment, aid, or justice). Second, this article illustrates how, in situations of crisis, the manipulation of institutions can create power for some and vulnerability to malnutrition in others. Third, it argues that a focus on treatment of malnutrition and behavior (hygiene and feeding practices) has drawn attention away from systems and institutions and feeds into discrimination as a basic cause.

Citation

Jaspars, S. (2023). Food and Power in Protracted Crisis: How Systems and Institutions Influence Livelihoods, Food Security, and Nutrition. Food and nutrition bulletin (Tokyo. Print), 44(2 suppl), S23-S31. https://doi.org/10.1177/03795721231202236

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2023
• Deposit Date: Nov 5, 2023
• Print ISSN: 0379-5721
• Electronic ISSN: 1564-8265
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 44
• Issue: 2 suppl
• Pages: S23-S31
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/03795721231202236
• Keywords: political economy, governance, Food Supply, humanitarian crisis, food security, institutions, nutrition, Nutritional Status, Starvation, Food Security, Humans, Malnutrition - prevention & control