Household Livelihood Resilience to Conflict Induced Food Insecurity in North Eastern Ethiopia

Dawit, Bezabih

dc.contributor.author	Dawit, Bezabih
dc.date.accessioned	2026-08-18T09:54:23Z
dc.date.available	2026-08-18T09:54:23Z
dc.date.issued	2026-06
dc.identifier.uri	http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17016
dc.description.abstract	Despite significant efforts to reduce hunger and poverty, global hunger levels have remained alarmingly high in recent years. Albeit various factors are responsible for the rise of food insecurity and hunger at the global level, conflict has been identified as a key driver. This dissertation assessed and analyzed the resilience of household livelihoods to conflict-induced food insecurity in northeastern Ethiopia by examining changes in livelihood assets, strategies, and coping mechanisms across different phases of conflict and livelihood zones. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study draws on primary data collected from 388 randomly selected households across urban and rural districts in conflict-affected areas. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), multiple linear regression, and the FAO’s Resilience Index Measurement and Analysis (Shiny RIMA) framework. Qualitative insights were generated through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with community members, along with key informant interviews involving local and zonal government officials. The findings reveal that conflict significantly disrupted access to physical, financial, and human assets, while also weakening of the social institutions and degrading of the natural resources. ANOVA results showed significant differences in household income and food security status across the three time periods (pre-, during-, and post-conflict), with p < 0.001. Household access to safe drinking water, education, and healthcare had varied significantly by location and time (e.g., mean annual income dropped from ETB 47,196 pre-conflict to ETB 24,002 during the conflict; p < 0.000). Regression analysis results showed that ownership of agricultural land, livestock holding, access to agricultural subsidy, engagement in none and off farm activities and membership in social organizations have significantly influenced the rural households’ income after the conflict. Exposure and sensitivity to conflict (asset loss, death and displacement) were conversely negatively associated with the rural household livelihood outcome. House ownership for both residence and rent, income from other household members, and exposure and sensitivity to conflict were on the contrary found significantly influencing the urban household income after the conflict. The RIMA analysis confirmed a decline in the Resilience Capacity Index (RCI) from 61.4 pre-conflict to 36.5 post-conflict, highlighting reduced absorptive and adaptive capacities. Qualitative findings supported the quantitative trends, revealing that households adopted diverse coping strategies, including food reduction, borrowing, selling assets, informal trade, and social resource pooling. However, these strategies were often unsustainable and harmful in the long term, particularly for female-headed households. Hence, the conflict in the area negatively affected the livelihood, livelihood strategies and resilience capacity of households in the area. The findings suggest that strengthening household resilience requires interventions that support livelihood recovery, restoration of productive assets, access to basic services, and social support systems. Investments in agricultural rehabilitation, livelihood diversification, infrastructure reconstruction, and resilience-building programs are therefore essential for enhancing household food security and sustainable recovery in conflict-affected areas of northeastern Ethiopia.	en_US
dc.language.iso	en_US	en_US
dc.subject	Geography and Environmental Studies	en_US
dc.title	Household Livelihood Resilience to Conflict Induced Food Insecurity in North Eastern Ethiopia	en_US
dc.type	Dissartation	en_US