Food security and ‘transition’ Possible elements of discussion: What are the characteristics of ‘transition’? How can the aid community help? How can we measure success?

What do we mean by ‘transition’? Transition from what? Natural crisis vs Conflict crisis Transition to what? Former normality? Is it attainable? Is it desirable (e.g. vis-à-vis ‘chronic’ food insecurity)? New ‘normality’? Are there defining characteristics? An identifiable threshold vis-à-vis food security?

From a livelihoods perspective… ‘The means by which households obtain and maintain access to essential resources to ensure their immediate and long- term survival.’ Temporary loss vs permanent loss (vs opportunity?)

Livelihood ‘capitals’ or assets after DFID Natural Capital: arable land, access to water, pasture, fuel Physical Capital: house, productive equipment, public infrastructure Human Capital: economic actors – labour, skills, salaried work. Childcare, education Social Capital: status, kinship or other network for reciprocal labour, loans etc. Financial Capital: savings, remittance income, pensions Political Capital: citizenship, access to political leaders or functioning legal system

Food sources in a typical year before the conflict Conflict ‘Hazards’ HazardLivelihood effect Restricted Access and mobility Relief lost Labor lost Markets lost Looting/ Burning Livestock lost Food stocks lost Effects of conflict on access to food How conflict undermines food security – Darfur Source of baseline data: SC UK

Food sources in a typical year before the conflict Conflict ‘Hazards’ HazardLivelihood effect Restricted Access and mobility Relief lost Labor lost Markets lost Looting/ Burning Livestock lost Food stocks lost Effects of conflict on access to food How conflict undermines food security – Darfur Source of baseline data: SC UK

How can the aid community help? Promote maintenance of peace, reconciliation Subsidy or guarantees as bridges for resumed economic activity: food aid, cash, water Investment in sectors: agriculture, livestock, roads, markets Investment in particular groups: returnees, demobilised fighters, women household heads

How can we measure success? Benchmarks or thresholds for a new normality? (civil security, physical and property rights recognised, integration of returnees, satisfactory rainfall) Some status of regularity returns: productive activity, cash income, services, ceremonies Changed relationship/accountability between assistor and assisted: people have moved from being passive recipients to having some control / responsibility