Building Livelihood Resilience Research Articles

Nexus between heat wave, food security and human health (HFH): Developing a framework for livelihood resilience in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has been severely affected by the extreme heatwave that is affecting most of Asia. Extreme climate events, particularly heatwave impacts on the food system, pose risks to human health in Bangladesh, explicitly in the north-west part of the country. The association between the heatwave, food security and health are narrowly described in the existing literature, resulting in a research lacuna related diverse component of food system that are particularly vulnerable to the heatwave. The current study therefore aims to develop a framework for understanding the nexus between heatwave, food security, and human health, which will ultimately help to improve livelihood resilience in Bangladesh. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to examine the link between heat waves, food security including human health (HFH) to explore the vulnerabilities in the food system in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Additionally, the current study conducted a case study on the tribal community (e.g., Santals) of Rajshahi to understand heatwave, food security and health nexus. There is evidence that critical activities in the food system are prone to risk to heat waves. It is complex how heatwaves propagate along the food system and impact elucidative dimensions of food security to impact human health impacts. Different types of disruption related to heatwave can indirectly affect human health by compromising food security, a critical factor of health. The case study of the current investigation reveals that human health can also be affected by the physical impact of the heat wave on the food system, particularly with regard to diet-related impacts and food-borne diseases within the tribal community. In the study, we propose to offer a novel analytical framework to examine and respond to the relationship between heat waves, food security and human health. The investigation provide a benchmark to policymakers, academia, and relevant stakeholders to examine and understand current and future heatwave risks and to develop adaptation strategies to build livelihood resilience in Bangladesh explicitly for tribal community.

Resilient Livelihood Styles: An enriched perspective on household livelihood resilience in the sensitive natural environments of Indonesia

Livelihood resilience has rapidly gained relevance in discussions and policies concerning groups and communities challenged by diverse natural and man-made adversities. Most studies seeking to understand how people respond, recover and adapt to shocks and stresses focus on changes in material or financial resources on the community or larger scales. They thereby often disregard differences in household-level practices and the influence of social-cultural structures in building livelihood resilience. We adopt the concept of livelihood styles to explore a more differentiated and ‘subjective’ conceptualisation of resilient livelihoods. By applying a mixed-methods approach, we scrutinised the ways in which various livelihood styles have evolved to adapt to their changing environment in the Maninjau caldera, Indonesia. We found that different livelihood styles show differing levels of adaptability in terms of resilience. This is largely due to the historic evolvement of styles and the way in which they are embedded in social structures. Styles that show higher levels of resilience to changes in the natural environment also appear to be more contumacious towards development interventions that are geared towards new forms of living with the objective of raising people’s income. As such, we show that a resilient livelihood styles perspective offers a way of identifying and interrogating the characteristics that build resilience of household livelihoods that better reflect the reality of local households. It can contribute to the development of more inclusive interventions and policymaking in ecologically sensitive areas that take account of and anticipate transformational environmental changes and the creation of sustainable livelihoods.

Does value chain inclusiveness increase smallholder resilience during pandemics? Lessons from the Zambia's sugar‐belt

AbstractThis paper asks whether value chain integration increases smallholder resilience during shocks. Using a qualitative research study design and the test case of the ‘sugar‐belt’ in Zambia, the paper draws on interviews with participants from different stakeholder groups, including household case studies and group discussions. Results show sugarcane value chain integration enhances smallholder livelihood resilience during pandemics through its coordination arrangement, but more could be done. Indirect involvement in, and joint procurement processes of inputs between smallholders and the management company, existing ready and stable access to markets and access to Fairtrade relief funds that point to direct livelihood support proved crucial for strengthening smallholder livelihood resilience during the pandemic. There were COVID‐19‐related adjustments by the management company, which further increased smallholder support. However, in as much as coordination arrangements seemed to have worked well during COVID‐19, smallholder livelihoods remained narrow and risky, raising the need for diversification that could strengthen sustainable resilience. This paper sheds light on how value chains could be organised to enhance pandemic recovery and build livelihood resilience. It helps us to reflect on the ‘(in)effectiveness’ of value chain institutions and the role and importance of smallholder coordination arrangements during pandemics. Ultimately, the result is a contribution to livelihood resilience thinking in value chains—one we hope is appropriate to our conjuncture.

Agricultural livelihood resilience in the face of recurring droughts: Empirical evidence from northeast Ethiopia

The main purpose of this study was to characterize the livelihood resilience of smallholder farmers in the face of recurring droughts in northeast Ethiopia. The data was collected using a cross-sectional survey of 274 households and five focus group discussions. Principal component analysis and multiple linear regression models were employed to analyze the data. The Livelihood Resilience Index (LRI), framed on absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities, was used to quantify the households’ livelihood resilience. The results indicated that about 57% of the surveyed respondents were non-resilient, while 43% were resilient to different degrees. Abay Tekeze watershed (ATW) livelihood zone exhibits the highest proportion of resilient households (57.4%), while North Wollo highland belg has the lowest proportion (22.7%). The high resilience in ATW was attributed to the relatively lower persistence of droughts, better accessibility in enabling institutions, more access to agricultural inputs, and the training and support given to farmers. The better-off were more resilient (90.9%) than the medium (52.1%) and the poor (34.6%) households. Among the latent dimensions, sensitivity with β value −0.372, climate change and variability (−0.33), and enabling institutions and environments (0.288) showed a significant (p < 0.0001) influence on LRI. This was followed by adaptive capacity and food access (0.249), agricultural practice and technology (0.213), and asset possession (0.19), in respective order. It implies that the absorptive capacity of households showed the leading influence in determining LRI, while adaptive and transformative capacities had nearly similar low effects. Thus, it is recommended that future planning for building livelihood resilience and drought risk interventions in the area should address the levels of resilience identified and the relative importance of each latent dimension indicated.

The Resilience and Adaptation of Pastoralist Livestock Mobility in a Protracted Conflict Setting: West Darfur, Sudan

Abstract This paper focuses on the dynamics of pastoralist herd mobility in West Darfur State, Sudan, a region affected by persistent conflict. The paper examines the annual cycle and seasonal trajectories of mobility for camels, cattle, and sheep, comparing mobility patterns by livelihood specialisation and reviewing the mobility of multi-species herds. Using social research tools and remote sensing livestock tracking technology, the study found diverse livestock mobility patterns within the region. Conflict and insecurity have reduced the freedom and flexibility of these movements. Persistent insecurity combined with climate shocks have led to adaptations, including changes in herd species composition and owner preference, and a shift from long to short-distance mobility closer to the home area. Ultimately these changes have undermined the resilience of the pastoral system. The paper considers the implications of these changes in pastoralist mobility for humanitarian needs, building livelihood resilience and promoting peaceful integration with other users of natural resources.

Smallholders’ Livelihood Resilience in the Dryland Area of the Yellow River Basin in China from the Perspective of the Family Life Cycle: Based on GeoDetector and LMG Metric Model

Farm households’ sustainable livelihoods in the dryland area of the Yellow River basin is an important guarantee of ecological protection and high-quality development for the Yellow River basin. However, farm households in this region have been facing frequent droughts, water resource shortages, severe soil erosion and other problems; their livelihood security has been seriously threatened. This study used a livelihood resilience framework to evaluate farm households’ livelihood resilience in dryland areas through the field survey data and identified the influencing factors of livelihood resilience using the GeoDetector and the Lindeman, Merenda and Gold method (LMG) from the family life cycle perspective. The results revealed the following points: (1) there were significant differences in livelihood resilience, adaptive capacity and anticipatory capacity at each stage of the family life cycle at a 5% significant level. (2) The top two variables of livelihood resilience were preparedness and planning, and substitutable assets, followed by household characteristics. With the evolution of the family life cycle, the impacts of family assets and basic service access on livelihood resilience showed a “U” trend. On the contrary, savings and safety nets showed an inverted “U” shape. (3) Both the GeoDetector and LMG metric models could identify the key influencing factors, but the variable importance rankings of the two models were different to some degree. Finally, based on the results of the analysis, this study proposed targeted policy recommendations for building livelihood resilience of farm households.

Ethnomedicinal and biological activities of tropical mahua (Madhuca species) – A comprehensive review

The genus Madhuca, of the family Sapotaceae is a multi-functional tropical tree with the species, Madhuca indica (latifolia), M. longifolia, and M. butyracea being the most prevalent. The nutritional and health benefits of mahua are due to the richness of its anti-oxidant, vitamin, mineral, and biochemical composition. Mahua plant (flowers, fruits, roots, bark, seeds, and leaves) extracts have a variety of bioactivities and ethnomedicinal applications (antidiabetic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, etc.). They are traditionally well-known for their ability to prevent/treat various ailments. The phytochemical constituents have a defense mechanism and therapeutic role in the treatment of disease. Madhuca spp. has built the linkage between ethnic people, traditional knowledge, and livelihood support of the resources. This study/literature review has been undertaken to investigate the mahua as a forest resource that can be used for building livelihood resilience among ethnic communities. This review gives an extensive overview of the scientifically evaluated mahua plant extract bioactive molecules and a possible mechanism for the therapeutic potential for treating various diseases. Further, analyses of the opportunities and scope with future openings for the development of health-giving properties/abilities are extensively summarized.

Contribution of Small-Scale Agroforestry to Local Economic Development and Livelihood Resilience: Evidence from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KPK), Pakistan

Agroforestry plays a vital role in enhancing environmental sustainability, improving local economies, and reducing poverty through livelihood resilience. Several researchers have studied the importance of agroforestry, but little attention has been paid to livelihood resilience and local economic development in developing countries. This study aims to find the role of small-scale agroforestry in local economic development in the Shangla and Swat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Province, Pakistan. In this study, a total of 350 quantitative household surveys, 12 qualitative household case studies, and interviews of experts are used. The ordinary least squares (OLS), linear regression model, household income, wealth index, and five capitals of sustainable livelihood approach (SLA) were used to measure livelihood resilience. Results show several significant findings which may apply on a larger scale and in other cities of Pakistan or other countries. First, it directly shows the association between agroforestry, resilience-building, and local economic development. Second, financial capital can be improved through agroforestry, which can improve other capital assets. Third, small-scale agroforestry brings non-financial benefits such as environmental sustainability, improved living standards, reduced soil erosion, and provided shade. Fourth, irrigation plays a vital role in building livelihood resilience and promoting agroforestry. Lastly, on-farm diversity can be improved through agroforestry. This research discusses several practical implications along with recommendations for future research.

Opportunities and challenges for livelihood resilience in urban and rural Mexican small-scale fisheries

Most small-scale fisheries (SSFs) in the developing world are exploited by rural communities, but global trends in coastal urbanization and development are rapidly transforming many SSF landscapes. The implications for livelihood resilience, or the capacity of a livelihood to overcome shocks and stresses, remain unknown. The environmental and economic shocks and stresses experienced by SSF communities are becoming more frequent and severe, highlighting the urgent need to understand how urban and rural SSF contexts influence how fishers build livelihood resilience. To shed light on this issue, we performed a systematic review of the Mexican SSF literature to compare constructions of livelihood resilience across urban and rural communities. Our findings suggest that attributes innate to urbanness and ruralness may influence how these communities and individuals build livelihood resilience. Specifically, our results suggest that population density, isolation, and the diversity of jobs available are associated with several indicator variables for livelihood resilience. Moreover, we find that the greatest threats to livelihood resilience in urban communities are weak incentives to cooperate and threats to ecosystems, while the greatest opportunities to achieve livelihood resilience are easier access to education and ample prospects for additional employment outside the fishing sector. In contrast, livelihood resilience in rural communities is most threatened by the relatively fewer opportunities for education and additional employment, but benefits from strong incentives to cooperate. Efforts to bolster livelihood resilience within SSF communities would benefit from considering these different opportunities and challenges presented by urban and rural contexts.

Rural livelihood resilience on multiple dimensions: a case study from selected coastal areas in Central Java

Rural coastal areas in northern Central Java suffer from tidal flood caused by sea level rise and land subsidence. People not only lose their properties as tidal flood submerges houses and lands but many of their livelihoods become unsustainable. To understand the extent of tidal flood impact to livelihood of rural coastal communities and their livelihoods, this paper aims to measure the level of rural livelihood resilience through multiple dimensional analysis. Drawing from various sources including livelihood resilience index (LRI) and resilience radar, the four dimensions that consist of social, economic, environment, and physical-infrastructure are adapted to express the level of livelihood resilience in the study area. The results indicate the tidal flood severity of two study areas caused different composition of contributing dimensions to livelihood resilience even though the score values showing insignificant gap. The findings also acknowledged that environment dimension is an important factor for building livelihood resilience for coastal community regardless of the disaster exposure. It comes as effect of coastal community inclination to depend their livelihood on the land resource and its supporting ecosystem.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND LIVELIHOODS: ADAPTATION PRACTICES BY RURAL TOURISM COMMUNITIES IN KARIMUNJAWA ISLAND

The impacts of climate change have caused the changes in temperature, seasons, rainfall, sea level, storms, floods, drought, and extreme temperatures. Communities that are at the forefront to get the impacts of climate change are coastal and small island communities, one of which is tourism places. Karimunjawa is as one of areas that get the impact of the climate change. However, in a period of seven years, the development of tourism in Karimunjawa village has experienced a large increase as evidenced by the increasing number of foreign and domestic tourists. This paper aims to describe the phenomenon of adaptation and livelihood resilience in tourism-based villages on Karimunjawa Island as a socio-ecological system by applying the adaptive cycle as an exploratory diagnostic, dynamics, and direction tool of change in the socio-ecological system. This research utilizes a qualitative analysis of the livelihood adaptation strategies adopted by the informants. From the result of this study, it can be perceived that strategies to strengthen the resilience of communities, and especially the poor, must be based on a combination of the most effective measurable and increased commitment to the asset base and measures to provide better services. Therefore, local adaptation strategies are aimed at building livelihood resilience are very important because they will greatly affect the ability of communities to face the impacts of climate change. Tourism development policies in rural areas are very effective in building adaptation capacity and livelihood resilience of local communities. Local government institutions, particularly provincial governments, play an important role in fostering an enabling environment for local adaptation.

A study on livelihood resilience in the small-scale fisheries of Ghana using a structural equation modelling approach

Livelihood resilience is one of the social-ecological concepts with importance for development, policy and research as crises from human-environment interactions are becoming intense and widespread. Nevertheless, measuring livelihood resilience is a difficult task requiring handy and practical methods, which are missing in the literature. This study proposed and validated a measure to the three-dimensional livelihood resilience framework of buffer capacity, capacity for self-organization and learning in the context of Ghana's declining small-scale fisheries. It proposed measurement indicators to the three dimensions of the framework and tested its structural and predictive validity using simultaneous equations. The data used for the analysis were collected from a random sample of 1180 artisanal fisherfolk in three fishing communities using a semi-structured questionnaire. The framework is useful for livelihoods and resilience thinking and its three dimensions are uniquely interrelated and significantly explain the livelihood resilience of fisherfolks. Aside from the slight differences in the paths to livelihood resilience-building across communities observed, there were significant gender and community differences in the application of the framework. These findings suggest the usefulness of the framework for monitoring and evaluation of interventions aimed at building livelihood resilience of fisherfolks. However, the highlighted differences in its application across gender and community contexts need to be considered. The study contributes to sustainable fisheries and coastal management by providing insights on the pathways for enhancing livelihood resilience—reducing social vulnerability and promoting the adaptive capacities of fisherfolk to shocks. For instance, interventions towards building livelihood resilience could increase fisherfolk's access and ownership to capitals through trusted savings and lending schemes/associations and impact capitals (buffer capacity); institutionalization and strengthening traditional authority (self-organization); and framing advocacy messages against illegal fishing practices highlighting previous experiences of good fish catch under less pervasiveness of such illicit practices (learning).

A Livelihood Resilience Measurement Framework for Dam-Induced Displacement and Resettlement

The concepts of resilience and livelihood resilience are growing in prominence with water resource development that aims to measure and build resilience to specific disturbances and shocks. However, practical frameworks to measure livelihood resilience are needed, not just a theoretical framework. In this paper, we introduce the livelihood resilience measurement (LRM) framework, which draws on Hooke’s law; use the state vector method to calculate livelihood resilience scores; and test the effectiveness of the method by correlation analysis. We illustrate the framework by using it to measure livelihood resilience in Henan Province, China, and assess the strategies that build livelihood resilience. The advantages and limitations of the framework are explored and discussed by drawing on empirical examples. Besides illustrating how to apply the LRM framework in a practical case, we discuss how to communicate with stakeholders to identify and strengthen the factors that build resilience. In this study, land ownership, housing and property value, and emergency cost are the most significant of these factors. Thus, the LRM framework has the potential to help reservoir-affected families protect their livelihood capital and to help governments improve social welfare. It can thus serve as a tool for monitoring and improving the effectiveness of policies and practices aimed at building livelihood resilience.

Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change and Livelihood Vulnerability in Rainfed Regions of India: A Gender-environment Perspective

This study has attempted to investigate the nature and magnitude of livelihood vulnerability in the Bundelkhand region, India. A multistage sampling technique has been used to select study sites and collect farm-level data of 200 households using a well-structured and pre-tested schedule. The findings revealed that female-headed households are relatively more exposed to changing climate than are the male headed households. Due to the lack of basic amenities and common-pool resources, the livelihood vulnerability score was highest for female-headed households. Therefore, to improve the livelihood security of vulnerable households’ measures like identifying vulnerable groups, providing innovative, practical and easy to use methods to visualize the extent and dimensions of livelihood vulnerability are imminent. The framework used to analyze and identify specific interventions would help in building livelihood resilience for the most vulnerable people within a community.

A conceptual framework for measuring livelihood resilience: Relocation experience from Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract Meeting the global targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Millennium Development Goals requires a resilience paradigm to be embedded in the very fabric of community livelihoods. As livelihood holds the key to rapid recovery following a large-scale disaster, building livelihood resilience is a high priority. Through a survey of five post-2004 Indian Ocean tsunami relocated villages in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar, Indonesia, this research developed a framework for measuring livelihood resilience in cases of post-disaster displacement. The framework suggests that the indicators for measuring resilient livelihood fall into four categories: individual livelihood coping ability, individual wellbeing, access to livelihood resources, and socio-physical robustness of the local community. Relocated individuals seemed to perceive the importance of the first two categories higher than the latter, which implies they think proactive self-sufficiency is more important than other external enabling conditions in building their livelihood resilience. This framework can help government agencies and aid organizations to plan for appropriate livelihood support post-disaster and/or prioritize investment in pre-event livelihood preparedness for individuals, so that they can fare better when facing displacement from a disaster.

What does the future hold for relocated communities post-disaster? Factors affecting livelihood resilience

Building livelihood resilience to natural disasters holds the key to sustained income generation and economic development in disaster-affected areas. This paper identifies the critical factors driving livelihood resilience in post-disaster relocated communities. A questionnaire survey and interviews in five selected relocation sites in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar, Indonesia, were undertaken following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. We found that early recovery income support, physical and mental health, ability to transfer to other jobs/skills, availability and timeliness of livelihood support, together with its cultural sensitivity and governance structure are among the most important factors. Given the nature of resettlement, access to infrastructure, location of relocated sites and safety of neighbourhoods also played an important role in establishing sustained employment for these relocated communities in Indonesia. Under the precarious conditions of displacement, the livelihood outcome of those relocated seemed to be more tied with how their resettlement can be supported than with their own efforts. The findings highlight the importance of a coordinated approach to providing livelihood support among different organisations based on regular needs assessment throughout the recovery course.

Measuring livelihood resilience: The Household Livelihood Resilience Approach (HLRA)

The concept of resilience, and livelihood resilience more specifically, is growing in prominence with international development and humanitarian organizations that aim to measure and build resilience to specific disturbances such as floods or droughts. However, measuring livelihood resilience is a difficult task, and practical methods to measure livelihood resilience, as well as analyze and visualize the data are needed. In this paper, I introduce the Household Livelihood Resilience Approach (HLRA), which draws from the sustainable livelihoods approach and it’s five capital assets to measure resilience. However, unlike other approaches that use the five capital assets such as utilized by Zurich Insurance Group, Ltd and the IFRC, the HLRA goes farther to help visualize the results and identify specific actions to build resilience. This paper illustrates the effectiveness of the HLRA through an empirical case study where this approach was used to measure livelihood resilience in Isiolo County, Kenya, and the effectiveness of agroforestry in building livelihood resilience for agricultural households. Drawing from this case study, I suggest five ways that the HLRA improves upon previous frameworks, including 1) providing practical methods and tools, not just a theoretical framework, 2) integrating ‘subjective’ measures of livelihood resilience, 3) focusing on the household-scale instead of community-scale or larger, 4) providing methods to analyze, visualize, and interpret results of livelihood resilience measures, and 5) highlighting the importance of human agency, power, and access to assets. The HLRA has the potential to help organizations identify specific interventions that could help build livelihood resilience for the most vulnerable groups of people within a community.

Building livelihood resilience: what role does agroforestry play?

Understanding how to build livelihood resilience to an uncertain future is critical as livelihood systems must adapt to local and regional climatic change. Agroforestry, the integration of trees into an agricultural landscape, is one potential solution. However, while many intuitively link agroforestry with livelihood resilience, there is little factual evidence. This paper utilizes data from semi-arid Isiolo County, Kenya to explore if and how agroforestry is building livelihood resilience for smallholder farmers. This study included 20 qualitative case study households, 339 quantitative household surveys, and key informant interviews. In order to measure livelihood resilience, we drew from the five livelihood capital assets of the sustainable livelihoods approach: financial, human, social, physical, and natural capital. The major benefits of agroforestry were shade and fruit; the main tree species planted included mango, papaya, banana, guava, and neem. The average of all five livelihood capital scores was 10% higher for households practising agroforestry, indicating that those households may have more resilient livelihoods. Livelihood capitals were improved by both on-farm diversification and off-farm livelihood diversification. Agroforestry improved the overall quality of life for respondents. This paper provides four major findings that may be applied to build livelihood resilience through agroforestry.

Seasonal Migration and Livelihood Resilience in the Face of Climate Change in Nepal

Migration for work remains a livelihood strategy in subsistence farming communities globally, especially in view of unprecedented environmental change. Farmers in the high Himalaya migrate during the winter, when farming activities are reduced. This study examined the drivers of seasonal migration in the context of climate change and migration's role in food security and livelihood resilience in the district of Humla, Nepal. Focus group discussions and a household socioeconomic survey were conducted. The results suggest that rather than climate change impacts, structural poverty is the root cause of migration, such that men from poor households with small landholdings and high food insecurity, mainly belonging to low-caste groups, migrate for work during the winter. Focus group participants also presented a clear perception of climate variability and change and their negative impacts on crop production. In this context, the poorest households find cultivating their own land risky. Moreover, the traditional practice of sharecropping, which helped them reduce food shortages, has also become less profitable. Therefore, more households are likely to participate in seasonal migration in the context of climate change, and those already migrating are likely to do so for longer time periods. Currently, such migrants take up low-paying unskilled wage work, mainly in towns and cities in Uttarakhand, India, which enable them to make only modest savings, hardly enough to repay the debt their family has incurred during food shortages. Even in the future, these farmers are likely to be limited to the same migration pattern, because they lack the social ties, education, and financial capital needed to fulfill the administrative and monetary requirements for more economically promising long-term overseas migration. Thus, it is unlikely that migration will make a significant contribution to building livelihood resilience in the context of climate change in remote Himalayan farming communities.

“You Can Steal Livestock but You Can’t Steal Trees.” The Livelihood Benefits of Agroforestry during and after Violent Conflict

While violent conflict affects the lives of 1.5 billion people globally, little is known about how such people support and feed themselves. We explore how agroforestry may be used as a livelihood strategy to build livelihood resilience during and immediately after violent conflict. Research was conducted in Burat, Kenya, which underwent violent conflict over local ethnic politics and control in 2012 before the 2013 elections. Research included 13 qualitative case study households and 187 quantitative household surveys. Major livelihood coping strategies during the conflict included aid, help from relatives, and casual labor, with agroforestry as a supplementary livelihood activity for some. Our results are context-specific, but suggest that agroforestry can build livelihood resilience during and after conflict by providing income and food, places to hide from attackers, and construction materials for rebuilding homes.