Household Food Insecurity and Coping Strategy in War-Torn Hawzien District, Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia

Gebremichael  Gebretinsae; Alemu  Addisu; Gebrehiwot  Weldegebrial; Aregawi  Beyene

doi:10.18502/jnfs.v11i2.21442

Gebremichael Gebretinsae Tigray Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Tigray, Ethiopia
Alemu Addisu College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources, Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Mekelle University, Ethiopia
Gebrehiwot Weldegebrial College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources, Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Mekelle University, Ethiopia
Aregawi Beyene College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources, Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Mekelle University, Ethiopia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jnfs.v11i2.21442

Keywords: Food security; Food coping strategy; Tigray war; Thematic analysis.

Abstract

Background: The Tigray war, characterised by the deliberate targeting of food systems, created a severe humanitarian crisis. However, empirical evidence on household-level food security during the conflict is limited. This study aimed to examine the food security status and coping mechanisms of households during the war. Method: Primary data were collected from 219 households from the Hawzien district, which were randomly chosen from three peasant associations within the district. Furthermore, data were collected from a household survey and focus group discussions. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: The findings reveal a catastrophic level of food insecurity: 94.1% of households were classified as food-insecure. To survive, households resorted to negative coping strategies, most notably relying on less preferred foods (97.2%), selling productive assets (90%), and consuming seed stock intended for planting (62.5%). Conclusion: The war has not only caused immediate, widespread food insecurity but has also forced households into survival strategies that actively erode their productive base and long-term resilience.