Foraging supply chains: Investigating disaster for improved food provisioning

Area of Science:

• Disaster Management
• Food Security
• Ecological Sustainability

Background:

• Recent crises like COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war highlight the need for stable food supplies during emergencies.
• Climate change and public health concerns necessitate a shift towards ecologically sound food provisioning strategies in disaster settings.
• Existing approaches often prioritize rapid supply establishment over long-term ecological considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify minimal considerations for adequate ecological disaster food provisioning.
• To analyze activities and strategies that benefit existing actors within food networks during disasters.
• To propose a conceptual model for an ecologically embedded minimum viable ecosystem for disaster food provisioning.

Main Methods:

• A meta-ethnography was conducted, analyzing data from 16 disasters across 12 countries.
• The study synthesized practices and supporting strategies for food provisioning in diverse crisis contexts.
• Qualitative analysis focused on identifying commonalities and effective approaches.

Main Results:

• Identified practices benefit public health, enhance resilience, and promote sustainability in food networks.
• Analysis revealed key activities and strategies crucial for effective disaster food provisioning.
• A conceptual model for an ecologically embedded minimum viable ecosystem was developed.

Conclusions:

• The proposed model offers a framework for culturally sensitive, equitable, and nutritious food provisioning in disaster settings.
• Findings can inform policy development for improved food security during ecological and humanitarian crises.
• The research emphasizes the integration of ecological principles into disaster food aid strategies.