Paper details

Paper authors	Desire Mpanje
In panel on	Urban Preparedness and Resilience
Paper presenter(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online

Abstract

Not much is known about social capital, coping strategies and food security among people living in vulnerable urban settings. The study sought to ascertain the influence of social capital on how vulnerable urban households cope with food insecurity. A comparative cross-sectional study with 1130 households was conducted in 6 urban slums in Nairobi, Jakarta, and Soacha. The study found that communities with high levels of social capital tend to have better coping mechanisms and are more food secure than those with low levels of social capital. One explanation is that they can rely on community solidarity and have better connections to people with power, influence, and resources. The conclusion would suggest that any humanitarian and development efforts to support locally based supports should recognise existing forms of social capital. Also, quantitative data alone cannot trace the causal relationship between the social capital, coping mechanisms and food security. Further complementary qualitative research would be desirable.

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