This Cost of the Diet study was undertaken in the Coastal Deeh livelihood Zone in Bari region of Puntland, Somalia.
The livelihood zone lies along the coastal strip that stretches along the Indian Ocean, from Ras Asser cliff point of Aluula district (Horn of Africa) to Ras Ilig of Eyl district in Nugal region. The vast parts of the livelihood identify more with the neighbouring inland pastoral areas of Karkaar, Golis and Sool, which are characterised by a range of mountains, hills, valleys and dry rivers.
The federal republic of Somalia has faced political upheaval over many years leading to the ongoing conflict and population displacement that has impacted the population in a number of ways. According to the United Nations, Somalia represents one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world with almost 50% of its people in need of external assistance and close to 1.5 million internally displaced people. The country is also prone to frequent droughts.
The aim of this analysis was to assess the degree to which economic constraints might prevent households in the Northern Coastal Deeh Livelihood Zone from having access to a nutritious diet.
The data collection and analysis set out to answer the following questions:
- What is the cost of a nutritionally adequate diet for a typical household in the Coastal Deeh livelihood zone of Bari region, Puntland?
- What nutrients have the greatest influence on the cost of a nutritious diet?
- Are there any neglected or underutilised foods that could decrease the cost of a nutritious diet?
- How affordable is the diet for a typical household in different wealth groups?