Refugee Food Security Perceptions on Food Rationing Practices in Refugees Camp in Western Tanzania

Abstract

This paper is based on the study on perception of refugees on food availability, accessibility, and utilization, forms of food rations. It assesses coping strategies on reduced food rationing and food security for refugee in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp in Kasulu district, Kigoma region in Western Tanzania.  Data collection involved  a  total  of  395  refugee  households  in  the  study  area  who  were interviewed using structured questionnaires. The collected data were processed and analysed using SPSS software in which descriptive statistics, mainly frequencies were produced and the results presented in bar charts. The study revealed that, the common form of food rationing in practice was in-kind food ration, the most preferred form was a combination of both In-kind food ration and Cash.   It was also revealed that the existing food aid ration was not satisfactory for family use. The food prices in the camp market were not affordable for the family food consumption especially for the majority with low incomes compounded with large families. As a result, upon receiving rationed food they partly sold it in order to get cash which they used to buy other basic goods in the market; or simply exchanged goods in- kind in order to meet human wants.