Research Projects
MiFOOD Network Research Projects, 2022-2023
Workstream 1 (WS1): Cities: Precarity, Exclusion and Migrant Food Insecurity in the City
- Assessing and Mitigating the Food Insecurity Consequences of COVID-19 on Marginalized Refugees and Migrants in Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada
- Assessing and Mitigating the Food Security Consequences of COVID-19 in Nanjing and Wuhan, China
- Assessing and Mitigating the Food Insecurity Consequences of COVID-19 on Marginalized Refugees and Migrants in Quito, Ecuador
- Assessing Household Food Security in Quito, Ecuador
- Impact of Socio-Economic; Factors and Remittances on Food Security Situation Among West African Migrants in Accra
- Food Insecurity and Gendered Strategies among Migrants in Ghanaian Slum Communities in Post-COVID-19 Times
- South-South Migration: Examining the Links Between Food Security and Migration from Ghana to Qatar
- The Impact of Global Pandemic on Food Security among Female Return Migrants in Kerala from the Gulf Countries
- Measuring Food Insecurity among Informally Employed Indian Migrants in the Gulf Region
- Food security and Low-Skilled Female Domestic Workforce: A Study on Return Migrants from the Middle East to Kerala
- Food Security at Emerging Urban Spaces in India
- Food (In)accessibility Among Remittance Receiving Households in Kingston in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemi
- Household Food Security and Somali Migrants in Nairobi
- Gender and Urban Food Insecurity: A Case Study Analysis of Migrants in Nairobi, Kenya
- Migration, Food Remittances and Dietary Diversity in Nairobi, Kenya
- Food Security of International Migrants in Mexico City
- The Food Security of Mozambican Migrants in Johannesburg, South Africa
- Remittances and Food Security in Panda District, Mozambique
- International Migration and Food Security: The Case of Angolan Migrants in Namibia
- Investigating the Impact of Changing Dietary and Consumption Patterns on the Food Security of Recent Zimbabwean Migrants in Windhoek, Namibia
- Food Security and Migrant Workers in Qatar
- Food Security among Myanmarese Domestic Workers in Singapore
- Assessing and Mitigating the Food Insecurity Consequences of COVID-19 on Marginalized Refugees and Migrants in Cape Town, South Africa
- COVID-19 and Food Security of Zimbabwean Migrants in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Harare
- Addressing Food Security for Mixed Migrants in Kampala
1. Canada
Assessing and Mitigating the Food Insecurity Consequences of COVID-19 on Marginalized Refugees and Migrants in Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada
Team Members: Zhenzhong Si, Neil Arya, Ning Dai, Sujata Ramachandran, Elizabeth Opiyo Onyango, Zach Ahmed, Jonathan Crush (PI)
Description: The study aims to assess the household food security of refugees from Somali, Syria and Afghanistan in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. The overarching goal is to design a high-impact and knowledge mobilization research with an agenda focused on the often-overlooked interactions between migration and food security among the refugee community. The research will provide valuable baseline information for evidence-based policy making for improving refugees’ food security level. Information collected through the study will also allow relevant refugee supporting organizations to better serve refugee communities in the region.
Organization: Wilfrid Laurier University, Balsillie School of International Affairs
Funder: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
2. China
Assessing and Mitigating the Food Security Consequences of COVID-19 in Nanjing and Wuhan, China
Team Members: Taiyang Zhong (PI), Zhenzhong Si, Jonathan Crush (PI), Ning Dai, Steffanie Scott
Description: This project evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on household food security in Nanjing, China, assess the effectiveness of temporary food security interventions from a multi-stakeholder perspective and develop social and policy measures to mitigate the impacts. The objectives are to: 1) Investigate the immediate food security challenges resulting from China’s quarantine measures, unstable food supply, and fear of food shopping in two COVID-19 affected cities (Wuhan and Nanjing); 2) Compare food security status in Nanjing following the COVID-19 outbreak with baseline data collected through Hungry Cities in 2015; 3) Synthesize and assess policies established for and community response to address food security challenges and promote effective measures by engaging local stakeholders. A sub-theme concerns the links between COVID-19, household food security and migration in Chinese cities.
Organizations: Nanjing University, Wilfrid Laurier University
Funder: New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF)
3. Ecuador
Assessing and Mitigating the Food Insecurity Consequences of COVID-19 on Marginalized Refugees and Migrants in Quito, Ecuador
Team Members: Cheryl Martens, Myriam Paredes, Maria Mercedes, Diego Martinez Godoy
Description: The project examines the linkages between food insecurity and migrants, particularly refugees from various origins in the context of Quito, Ecuador. The research project will adopt mixed methods, including a survey, in-depth and key informant interviews, and focus group studies in the city of Quito. More specifically, it examines the levels and determinants of food insecurity among migrants and refugees in Quito. It evaluates the levels and determinants of all four dimensions of food security: availability, access, utilization and stability. It will also examine how food security of migrants and refugees and its determinants are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organization: Institute for Advanced Studies in Inequalities, Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Funder: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), SSHRC Partnership Grant (SSHRC PG)
4. Ecuador
Assessing Household Food Security in Quito, Ecuador
Team Members: Cheryl Martens, Myriam Paredes, Maria Mercedes, Diego Martinez Godoy
Description: The project aims to evaluate the status of household food security and how food security and household food practices have been shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic in Quito, Ecuador. It will employ a representative survey approach to generate a city-wide dataset for a comparative study with other cities in the Hungry Cities Partnership. It also provides baseline information for investigating the food (in)security of marginalized populations, particularly refugees and migrants, in the city of Quito during the pandemic.
Organization: Institute for Advanced Studies in Inequalities, Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Funder: NFRF, SSHRC PG
5. Ghana
Impact of Socio-Economic; Factors and Remittances on Food Security Situation Among West African Migrants in Accra
Team Members: Ralph Armah, Mary B. Setrana, Peter Quartey (PI), Aba Crentsil, Cynthia Addoquaye Tagoe
Description: This study seeks to examine the impact of socio-economic factors on food security status of West African migrants living in urban Accra. The study’s specific objectives are: 1) to map out the status of food security among West African migrants in urban Accra; 2) to determine the impact of socio-economic factors on food security situation of West African migrants in urban Accra; 3) to determine the extent to which cash and food remittances affect food security among West African migrants and 4) to examine the coping strategies and resilience of West African migrants in sustaining their food security statuses.
Organization: ISSER, University of Ghana
Funders: SSHRC PG, ISSER
6. Ghana
Food Insecurity and Gendered Strategies among Migrants in Ghanaian Slum Communities in Post-COVID-19 Times
Team Members: Cynthia Addoquaye Tagoe (PI), Aba Crentsil, Peter Quartey, Ralph Armah, Mary B. Setrana
Description: This study seeks to examine the food security experiences of internal migrants in selected urban slum communities in Ghana. The study will examine their gendered coping strategies towards addressing food security. Specifically, this study seeks to 1) identify the various food security challenges encountered by internal migrants in the recent past before the onset of COVID-19 as well as post-COVID times (2019 & 2021 respectively); 2) identify the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of internal migrants who experienced food security challenges over the period of interest (pre and post-COVID period) and the extent of their vulnerability; and 3) examine the coping strategies employed by both male and female internal migrants to addressing their food security challenges.
Organization: ISSER, University of Ghana
Funder: SSHRC PG
7. Ghana
South-South Migration: Examining the Links Between Food Security and Migration from Ghana to Qatar
Team Members: Bernard Owusu, Jonathan Crush (Supervisor), Margaret Walton-Roberts, Bruce Frayne, Steffanie Scott (Committee Members), Peter Quartey
Description: This PhD research study aims to contribute to the emerging literature on labour migration from Ghana to the Gulf with a particular focus on Qatar. In particular, the project seeks to 1) understand the role of food insecurity as a driver of migration from Ghana to the Gulf; 2) examine the coping strategies and food security experience of Ghanaian labour migrants in Qatar; and 3) to assess whether and how migrant remittances from Qatar impact household food and nutritional security in Ghana
Organizations: Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Ghana
Funders: Wilfrid Laurier University, SSHRC PG
8. India
The Impact of Global Pandemic on Food Security among Female Return Migrants in Kerala from the Gulf Countries
Team Members: Irudaya Rajan (PI), H. Arokkiaraj & John Abraham
Description: The project aims to understand the nature of food security among return female migrant workers (FMWs) in Kerala from the Gulf countries under heightened circumstances of social and economic precarity along with male migrant workers. The project will explore the following research questions: 1) What characterises food (in)security among return FMWs in Kerala compared to their earlier destination in the Gulf? 2) What factors influence food security outcomes for return FMWs in Kerala such as restrictions to food access, social isolation, return migration and employment precarity? 3) What is the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the food security among return FMWs in Kerala? 4) What policy changes are required to ensure food security among FMWs?
Organizations: International Institute for Migration and Development (IIMAD), University of Waterloo
Funders: SSHRC PG, IIMAD, University of Waterloo
9. India
Measuring Food Insecurity among Informally Employed Indian Migrants in the Gulf Region
Team Members: Anu Abraham (PI), Shyma Jose
Description: The project aims to capture food insecurity among informally employed Indian migrants in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and formulate targeted strategies to improve and ensure food security to protect their well-being. The project seeks to achieve the following objectives: 1) Document the prevalence, severity and unique characteristics of food insecurity faced by informally employed low skilled emigrants from India in the Gulf. 2) Construct a framework for measuring food security in the context of migration and ascertain its short and long-term impact on individuals and households. 3) Examine if there is a gender difference in the way migrants experience food insecurity. 4) Examine the role of civil society organisations in filling the food security gap of migrant workers at the destination.
Organizations: IIMAD, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (CRIER)
Funder: SSHRC PG
10. India
Food security and Low-Skilled Female Domestic Workforce: A Study on Return Migrants from the Middle East to Kerala
Team Member: Anand P Cherian (PI)
Description: The project has the following objectives: 1) Explain and explore the conditions of labour in which female migrants are employed in GCC countries and the impact it has on their food security outcomes? 2) Inspect and justify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security outcomes among low skilled migrant women in the Gulf. 3) Outline the relationship between differential access to formal employment, educational trajectories, and socioeconomic preconditions, with return migrant women in mind. Examine and assess their role in contributing to food insecurity. 4) Explore policy changes aimed at improving and ensuring food security targeted at female return migrants.
Funder: SSHRC PG
11. India
Food Security at Emerging Urban Spaces in India
Team Members: Irudaya Rajan (PI), Chetan Choithani, Abdul Jaleel
Description: An examination of the important public policy issue of contemporary significance of linkages between migration, urbanization and food and nutrition security in India, within the wider context of post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The paper responds to the call by Crush (2013, p. 62) to bridge the “massive institutional and substantive disconnect” that currently exists between the two prominent development agendas of migration and food security. The geographic focus of this paper is on the lower echelons of India’s urban system comprising erstwhile rural regions which have witnessed rapid urbanization over the past few years. This urban growth is fast changing the sources of food security for millions of Indians, and rising land demands to accommodate future urban growth will put more pressure on the agri-food systems. The project reviews the implications of this urban growth for food security in India and identifies the relevant policy issues that may help promote SDG targets of food security and inclusive urbanization.
Organizations: IIMAD), National Institute of Advanced Studies – Bangalore, National Institute of Nutrition – Hyderabad
Funder: Hungry Cities Partnership
12. Jamaica
Food (In)accessibility Among Remittance Receiving Households in Kingston in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Team Members: Natalie Dietrich Jones (PI), Robert Kinlocke, Elaine Campbell
Description: The principal objective of the study is to determine the nature and extent of food (in)accessibility among remittance receiving households in Kingston, Jamaica, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research questions are: 1) What are the determinants of food (in)accessibility among remittance receiving households in Kingston? 2) Are there different determinants of food (in)accessibility among non-remittance receiving households? 3) How have remittances adjusted for pandemic-related income loss, savings deficits and unemployment? 4) How has COVID-19 impacted food (in)accessibility among remittance receiving households? 5) Has COVID-19 encouraged (internal and international) migration to improve food accessibility among households in Kingston? 6) Has COVID-19 encouraged food remittances within (and from outside of) Jamaica?
Organization: SALISES, University of the West Indies – Mona Campus
Funder: SSHRC PG
13. Kenya
Household Food Security and Somali Migrants in Nairobi
Team Members: Samuel Owuor (PI), Zack Ahmed, Jonathan Crush
Description: Through empirical and qualitative research, the study intends to assess Somali migrant households’ food security situation in Nairobi. The overarching goal is to design a high-impact and knowledge mobilization research with an agenda focused on the often-overlooked interactions between migration and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In doing so, the study will contribute to the theoretical arguments that migration does not only exert negative effects but also positive effects on food security.
Organizations: University of Nairobi, Wilfrid Laurier University
Funder: SSHRC PG
14. Kenya
Gender and Urban Food Insecurity: A Case Study Analysis of Migrants in Nairobi, Kenya
Team Members: Cherie Enns (PI), William Pioth, Fanta Jacqueline
Description: With the current knowledge that COVID-19 has significantly impacted the food systems in Kenya, this research seeks to explore how COVID-19 has affected the food security of asylum seekers in Nairobi, Kenya. Migrants will be asked about food security, access to food, food availability, interventions, and innovations. The objectives of the study will be to (a) Determine how access to food has changed during the pandemic for various gender groups; (b) Determine how food availability has changed during the pandemic for different genders; (c) Determine what kinds of interventions have been used to ensure or support food security, and (d) Determine what innovative approaches have been developed to support food security.
Organization: University of the Fraser Valley
Funder: SSHRC PG, Universities Canada
15. Kenya
Migration, Food Remittances and Dietary Diversity in Nairobi, Kenya
Team Members: Eizabeth Opiyo Onyango, Jonathan Crush (PI), Samuel Owuor
Description: This QES-AS project is using data from a representative Hungry Cities Partnership household food security survey to model the similarities and differences between migrant and non-migrant households in relation to various food security outcomes. Thematic issues addressed include housebold vulnerability to pre-COVID economic, political and environmental shocks, urban-rural links and food remittances, and the determinants of dietary deprivation amongst migrant households.
Organizations: Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Nairobi
Funder: Universities Canada, IDRC
16. Mexico
Food Security of International Migrants in Mexico City
Team Members: Guenola Capron, Salomon Gonzalez (PI), Tiana Hayden, Fernanda Vazquez, Jill Wigle, Lucy Luccisano
Description: The project aims to analyze the precarity, exclusion and food insecurity of international migrants in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City (ZMVM). Particular attention will be given to gender inequalities and the situation of female migrants. It will also focus on another key vulnerable population– children and adolescents who travel alone or accompanied.
Organizations: Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM) Azcapotzalco, Berumen & Associates, Wilfrid Laurier University
Funder: SSHRC PG
17. Mozambique & South Africa
The Food Security of Mozambican Migrants in Johannesburg, South Africa
Team Members: Ines Raimundo (PI), Ramos Muanamoha, Rogers Hansine, Ezequiel Abrahamo, Godfrey Tawodzera, Jonathan Crush
Description: The aim of this study is to examine the economic conditions and livelihood activities of Mozambican migrants and to ascertain their food security status and experiences. This project objectives are to document the migration histories and economic livelihood activities of Mozambican migrants in Johannesburg, South Africa; to identify the major foods consumed by migrants, the sources and diversity of these foods; to measure the levels of food security among the Mozambican migrant households and determine the major factors influencing household food security; to compare food insecurity experiences between male and female centred households and between recent and established migrants; and, to identify the various strategies used by migrant households to cope with food insecurity.
Organizations: Eduardo Mondlane University, University of Namibia, Wilfrid Laurier University
Funder: SSHRC PG
18. Mozambique
Remittances and Food Security in Panda District, Mozambique
Team Members: Célia Marília da Conceição, Ines Raimundo (Supervisor)
Description: This thesis research aims to analyze the role of remittances from international migrants in improving food security for Panda households. It will describe the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of Panda district; examine the socio-economic impacts of remittances on households in Panda district; and explain the influence of international migration on food security in Panda district.
Organization: Eduardo Mondlane University
Funder: SSHRC PG
19. Namibia
International Migration and Food Security: The Case of Angolan Migrants in Namibia
Team Members: Ndeyapo Nickanor (PI), Lawrence Kazembe, Godfrey Tawodzera
Description: The main aim of this study is to examine the extent to which poverty and food insecurity are major drivers of Angolans’ international migration into Namibia and assess the nature of Angolan migrants’ livelihood activities and coping strategies and how these impact on their food security. The research objectives of the study are to: 1) Map the spatio-temporal inflows of Angolan migrants into Namibia; 2) Examine the major causes of the migration of Angolans from their country into Namibia; 3) Investigate the way in which Angolan migrants construct their livelihoods in the country; 4) Analyze the local policies impinging on the Angolan migrants’ ability to construct livelihoods in the country; 5) Determine the food security status of Angolan migrants and explore the major factors influencing their food security; 6) Assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the food security status of Angolan migrants; 7) Investigate the various coping strategies employed by Angolan migrants to cope with food insecurity in Namibia.
Organization: University of Namibia
Funder: SSHRC PG
20. Namibia
Investigating the Impact of Changing Dietary and Consumption Patterns on the Food Security of Recent Zimbabwean Migrants in Windhoek, Namibia
Team Member: Godfrey Tawodzera (PI)
Description: The project aims to investigate the changing dietary and food consumption patterns of recent Zimbabwean migrants and the impacts of these changes on household food security. The objectives are: 1) To establish the common foods consumed by migrants and their consumption patterns prior to leaving their country; 2) To ascertain the current diets and consumption patterns of the migrant households and determine the causes for the changes; 3) To establish the cultural appropriateness of the foods being consumed by Zimbabwean migrants in Namibia; 4) To assess the impact of the changing diets and consumption patterns on the food security status of the urban migrant households.
Organization: University of Namibia
Funder: SSHRC PG
21. Qatar
Food Security and Migrant Workers in Qatar
Team Members: Rajai Ray Jureidini (PI), Dalal Aassouli, Jordan Blekking, Jonathan Crush
Description: The project will employ a mixed methodology designed to explore different facets of the nexus and create a global knowledge hub on migration and food security in Qatar including: (a) compilation and analysis of existing data bases including surveys and census data; (b) large-scale representative sample surveys of migrant households, using digital survey techniques pioneered by the Hungry Cities Partnership; (c) in-depth qualitative interviews and collection of migration narratives; (d) key informant interviews with migrant organizations and stakeholders in food supply chains and (e) participatory GIS to analyze migrant perceptions of food environments. Data will be publicly accessible within three years of the end-date of the Project.
Organizations: Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Wilfrid Laurier University
Funder: Qatar National Research Foundation – MME
22. Singapore
Food Security among Myanmarese Domestic Workers in Singapore
Team Members: Brenda Yeoh (PI), Chand Somaiah, Theodora Lam, Kristel Acedera
Description: The project aims to investigate whether migrants’ increased personal food security and self-care needs during pandemic times negatively impact migrants’ remittance-sending behaviour and caring practices for left-behind family members. It aims to address the following empirical questions across ten key areas: 1) Questions related to FDWs cooking and food preparation practices vis-à-vis that of the household they are working for; 2) Questions related to FDWs access to grocery shopping and purchase practices; 3) Questions related to FDWs food consumption practices; 4) FDWs attitude toward and knowledge on nutrition and healthcare; 5) Remittance behaviour; 6) Rest day behaviours; 7) Concerns over food security in Singapore; 8) Concerns over family’s food security in Myanmar; 9) Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and food and expenditure in Singapore as well as Myanmar; and 10) Digital practices surrounding food consumption.
Partner Organization: Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore (NUS)
Funders: SSHRC PG, NUS
23. South Africa
Assessing and Mitigating the Food Insecurity Consequences of COVID-19 on Marginalized Refugees and Migrants in Cape Town, South Africa
Team Members: Mulugeta Dinbabo, Daniel Tevera (PI), Sean Sithole
Description: Adopting a mixed methods approach including surveys, key informant interviews, and participatory methods, the project will apply a gender-sensitive analysis to explore the food insecurity experiences of Somali, Congolese and Zimbabwean migrants and refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic in Cape Town, South Africa. It aims to provide critical decision-making and pandemic response data to local stakeholders and inform food policy responses. Data from this project will be compared with data from Kitchener-Waterloo in Canada and Quito in Ecuador.
Organization: Institute of Social Development, University of the Western Cape
Funder: CIHR
24. South Africa
COVID-19 and Food Security of Zimbabwean Migrants in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Harare
Team Members: Godfrey Tawodzera (PI), Jonathan Crush, Sujata Ramachandran, Elizabeth Opiyo Onyango
Description: This project, conducted as part of the Queen Elizabeth Advanced Scholars program at Laurier has three elements: 1) a food security household survey of 500 Zimbabwean migrant households in Cape Town, South Africa; 2) a similar survey conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa and 3) in-depth qualitative interviews with cross-border informal food traders in Harare, Zimbabwe. The aim of the research conducted in 2021 is to provide an update on the food security status of migrant households (following earlier surveys by SAMP and HCP) but also to document the impact of COVID-19 on migrant food security challenges and strategies.
Organization: University of Namibia, Wilfrid Laurier University
Funder: Universities Canada, IDRC, SSHRC PG
25. Uganda
Addressing Food Security for Mixed Migrants in Kampala
Team Members: Andrea Brown (PI)
Description: This research seeks to understand the varied food security experiences of migrant populations in Kampala and the barriers and possibilities to meaningfully address them. It seeks to identify potential responses from government and other actors to better address their food insecurity. Findings will have comparable value in other cities, particularly in East Africa, where there are similarly high levels of mixed migration. More specifically, this research seeks to fill several knowledge gaps, support migrant access to rights, programs, institutions, and services to improve their food security, and facilitate communication and collaboration with groups and individuals working with and for migrant populations.
Organization: Canada: Wilfrid Laurier University
Funder: SSHRC PG, Tshepo Institute
