Abstract
This paper aims to contribute to the urban food security debate by exploring the role of informal safety nets and formal food-based social protection in addressing food insecurity challenges facing low-income urban households in Manzini. The empirical data used in this paper came from two surveys: the first involved 500 households and was undertaken in three low-income areas of Manzini. The second involved a series of in-depth interviews with senior staff at supermarkets and spaza shops. The results reveal that food security challenges are considerable in the low-income areas of Manzini and that, at the same time, various forms of community and intra-household food sharing are an important food source for a minority of poor households in the city. In this regard, the national government needs to consider strengthening food-based social safety net programmes that assist poor and vulnerable groups.
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We wish to thank the Canadian Government for funding the AFSUN baseline survey in Manzini.
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Tevera, D., Simelane, N. Food for the Urban Poor: Safety Nets and Food-Based Social Protection in Manzini, Swaziland. Urban Forum 25, 241–252 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-014-9226-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-014-9226-4