Peruvian households have experienced one of the worst economic shocks due to COVID-19, significantly increasing their vulnerability to food insecurity.

This article, published in the journal Nutrients (Volume 13, Issue 10), uses Young Lives longitudinal data (n = 2026), to understand what makes young people in these households vulnerable, including the role of the government's response through emergency cash transfers.  

The authors assessed food insecurity using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Household characteristics were collected before and during the COVID-19 outbreak in Peru to characterise participants’ vulnerability to food insecurity.  Statistical methods were used to evaluate the association between government support and young people's vulnerability to food insecurity. 

During the period under study (March to December 2020), 24% of the participants experienced food insecurity. The most well off families were 49% less likely to experience food insecurity. Larger families (which more than 5 members) and those with increased household expenses and decreased income due to COVID-19 were more likely to experience food insecurity (by 35%, 39% and 42%, respectively). There was no significant association between government support and food insecurity. 

The authors conclude that pre-pandemic socioeconomic status, family size, and the economic disruption during COVID-19 contribute to the risk of food insecurity among young Peruvians, while government support insufficiently curtailed the risk to these households.

You can read the full article here