Impacts of the war in Ukraine on food security in low-income countries

This project seeks to inform short and medium-term responses to food insecurity exacerbated by the war in Ukraine through Southern-led gender-responsive research in target countries in Africa and the Middle East. These countries include (Africa -Egypt Ethiopia Kenya Morocco Mozambique Senegal South Africa and Sudan). This 24-month research project combines micro and macro perspectives connecting evidence on household-level shocks and their livelihood responses on changes in food systems and macro-economic perspectives. The research and subsequent stakeholder engagement will inform policy responses that can support vulnerable households and populations to cope in the short term and become more resilient. Project activities include: (1) conducting locally-driven gender-responsive research; (2) developing context-relevant knowledge and communications products; and (3) holding regular consultations and briefings with researchers and key policy audiences and implementers. Direct beneficiaries include stakeholders and decision-makers in government and regional/international agencies’ crisis responses.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) improved resilience of vulnerable populations including women and girls in lower-income economies in Africa to external economic and food security shocks; (2) increased support for local researchers to produce gender-responsive policy-relevant evidence and engage directly with policy makers responsible for crises responses policy action (1100); (3) tailored and shared and communicate research results in ways that meet the needs of policy makers; (4) increased meaningful engagement and exchange between researchers and key actors operating at national regional and international scales ensuring that insights from the research are able to inform policy dialogue strengthen policy options and ultimately influence policy action (1200).