A SEM Approach to the Direct and Indirect Links between WaSH Services and Access to Food in Countries in Protracted Crises: The Case of Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State, South Sudan

Maria Sassi

doi:10.3390/su12229631

Abstract

As highlighted by the 2030 Agenda, access to food is a crucially important aspect of sustainable development. In this context, the association between WaSH services and access to food still needs to be clearly understood. This study investigates the direct and indirect impact of the WaSH environment of households on access to food, and the role of mediation variables and insecurity due to war and conflicts in South Sudan. We considered a statistically representative sample of 1382 households and used two structural equation models based on primary data. A basic model estimates association between household WaSH environment and food security directly and indirectly through the household livelihood-based coping capacity and poverty perception. Its extended version includes the indirect effect of insecurity due to war and conflicts. Results are theoretically coherent and demonstrate the relevance of the household WaSH environment for food security. The indirect effect of the absence of insecurity due to conflicts and war on food security adds to the basic model a statistically significant total indirect effect. From a policy perspective, the study suggests reinforcement of the capacity of the public sector for delivering WaSH services and the need for multi-sectoral solutions linking humanitarian, development, and peace approaches.

Highlights

In 2010, through the Resolution 64/292, the UN General Assembly explicitly recognized as a human right the access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation and called upon States and International Organisations to make appropriate efforts to help developing countries to provide universal access to these services [1]
In the basic part of our research structure, a household WaSH Environment Index (WASHEI) has a direct effect on the household Food Security Status (FSS) and an impact mediated by a household Livelihood-based Coping Capacity Index (LCCI) and Poverty State Perception (PSP)
It provides a model for measuring the impact of household WaSH environment on food security keeping into consideration the mediation variables suggested by the literature

Summary

Introduction

In 2010, through the Resolution 64/292, the UN General Assembly explicitly recognized as a human right the access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation and called upon States and International Organisations to make appropriate efforts to help developing countries to provide universal access to these services [1]. In 2012, as part of this process promoted by the international community, the UN Committee on World Food Security [3] introduced the concept of food and nutrition security, recognizing that this challenge cannot be achieved without an environment of adequate sanitation and health services in the world’s poorest communities. According to the World Health Organisation [11], approximately half of the malnutrition cases are associated with worm infections or recurring diarrhea resulting from unsafe water, insufficient sanitation and inadequate hygiene. Recent studies have demonstrated that the improvement of these conditions has an impact on stunting reduction [12]

Methods

Results

Conclusion