Food Insecurity, Maternal and Child Malnutrition, Morbidity and Mortality Linkages in Humanitarian Contexts

As the global food insecurity situation worsens, this scoping review, funded by our Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC) programme, has assessed the evidence linking food insecurity, malnutrition, ill health and mortality among women and children under five in humanitarian contexts.

Countries affected by humanitarian crises are the hardest hit by food insecurity, due to the presence and persistence of food insecurity drivers in these settings – including conflict, economic shocks, and the increasing effects of the climate crisis. These countries are also disproportionately affected by health disparities and disease, with women and children under five being among the most vulnerable to malnutrition and subsequent illness. Despite many countries bearing this double burden of food insecurity/malnutrition and ill health, there has been little research to date exploring the relationship between the two.

The review identifies existing evidence on linkages between food insecurity and a range of other health indicators including:

• Malnutrition
• Childhood diseases and other morbidities
• STIs, TB and other infectious diseases
• Non-communicable diseases

As well as identifying evidence of these linkages, the review explores the dynamics of the relationship between malnutrition and food insecurity, and susceptibility to contracting and/or development of disease and death.

In light of the evidence, the report puts forward a set of core recommendations for developing preventative solutions to food insecurity drivers and their impact on health and nutrition. Much of the humanitarian response to food insecurity-related crises has been focused on addressing malnutrition, however this literature review highlights the need for a more collaborative approach between nutrition and health, and how each one supports the other in reducing vulnerability to disease and death among populations affected by crisis.