�Food inflation lingers for months after disasters�

Floods, droughts and cyclones cause the prices of food and malnutrition to prolong for many months after any disaster in Bangladesh, says a new study.
According to an investigation conducted by UN agencies and several research institutes, communities in Bangladesh affected by disasters systematically face higher food prices than those not affected by climatic disasters, reports UNB.
In many cases, this food inflation can be felt for up to nine months after the devastation. In particular, the prices of oil, rice, potato, dal, beef and egg remain higher than the national average.
The research was jointly conducted by WFP, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Helen Keller International, the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies and the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex/UK.
Following a disaster in Bangladesh, mothers make the biggest nutrition sacrifices, forgoing more food than other members of the community, in order to feed their children, the study reveals.
It says the impact of disasters on food security can vary depending on the type of disaster.
For example, food prices spike for nine months after a drought, but for six months following a cyclone.
At the same time, disasters have a lasting impact on the nutrition status of children, also affecting their health and growth for months, and for longer than was previously thought.
After a drought, the study says, the proportion of chronically undernourished children, who are too small for their age, increases, and this increase is detectable for close to year after the event. In contrast, on average chronic child under-nutrition decreased by three per cent across the country between 2011 and 2012 in non-disaster affected communities.
The research looked at the impact of six different types of climate related disasters in Bangladesh, including floods, drought, cyclones, river bank erosion and salt water intrusion between 1998 and 2006.
“This research gives us a new lens for viewing conventional disaster responses and rehabilitation approaches and offers a new perspective for addressing the prolonged effects of climate related shocks on communities,” said WFP representative Christa Räder.

�Food inflation lingers for months after disasters�

Floods, droughts and cyclones cause the prices of food and malnutrition to prolong for many months after any disaster in Bangladesh, says a new study. According to an investigation conducted by UN agencies and several research institutes, communities in Bangladesh affected by disasters systematically face higher food prices than those not affected by climatic disasters, reports UNB. In many cases, this food inflation can be felt for up to nine months after the devastation. In particular, the prices of oil, rice, potato, dal, beef and egg remain higher than the national average. The research was jointly conducted by WFP, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Helen Keller International, the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies and the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex/UK. Following a disaster in Bangladesh, mothers make the biggest nutrition sacrifices, forgoing more food than other members of the community, in order to feed their children, the study reveals. It says the impact of disasters on food security can vary depending on the type of disaster. For example, food prices spike for nine months after a drought, but for six months following a cyclone. At the same time, disasters have a lasting impact on the nutrition status of children, also affecting their health and growth for months, and for longer than was previously thought. After a drought, the study says, the proportion of chronically undernourished children, who are too small for their age, increases, and this increase is detectable for close to year after the event. In contrast, on average chronic child under-nutrition decreased by three per cent across the country between 2011 and 2012 in non-disaster affected communities. The research looked at the impact of six different types of climate related disasters in Bangladesh, including floods, drought, cyclones, river bank erosion and salt water intrusion between 1998 and 2006. This research gives us a new lens for viewing conventional disaster responses and rehabilitation approaches and offers a new perspective for addressing the prolonged effects of climate related shocks on communities, said WFP representative Christa Rder.