Assessing the Impact of Floods on Dietary Diversity and Food Security in Flood-Affected Areas of Majuli District

Description

Page: 38-42

Rumi Das, Manisha Choudhury, and Mamoni Das (Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam)

Floods are natural disasters caused by excessive rainfall, overflowing rivers, or storm surges, leading to widespread water accumulation. They can cause severe damage to infrastructure, loss of life, displacement of communities, and disruption of essential services like food, water, and healthcare. This study, “Assessing the Impact of Floods on Dietary Diversity and Food Security in Flood-Affected Areas of Majuli District,” aimed to evaluate food consumption patterns, Household Dietary Diversity (HDD), and food security among affected households. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 220 households. Dietary patterns were analyzed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire, and Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) were calculated using FAO guidelines. Findings revealed that all households (100%) consumed cereals daily, followed by green leafy vegetables (49.54%) and other vegetables (43.64%). However, the daily intake of milk and milk products (9.2%), fruits (7.27%), and fats & oils (3.18%) was significantly low. Before the flood, 66.36% of households were food secure, but post-flood, many experienced mild (19.10%), moderate (11.36%), and severe (3.18%) food insecurity. The mean HDDS (6.3 ± 1.88) indicates inadequate dietary diversity due to disruptions in agriculture, economic constraints, and seasonal food shortages. Flood challenges are expected to worsen, threatening the nutritional well-being of children, pregnant women, and the elderly. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved food security measures to support flood-affected communities and mitigate the long-term impact of recurring floods.