Effect of conflict on dietary energy supply: Evidence from Cote d'Ivoire

Abstract

In this paper we estimate the causal effects of conflict on dietary energy supply in Côte d'Ivoire. To identify the true impact of conflict, we use prewar and post-war household data bracketing the conflict period and the spatial variation in the prevalence of conflict between the North and South regions. Our second identification strategy uses the specific counts of conflict events across departments. For our third identification strategy, we employ self-reported victimization indicators at the individual level. Combining data from household surveys (Households Living Standards Surveys) and the conflict database (ACLED), we find robust and statistically significant evidence of households in the worst-hit conflict areas and individuals who are the direct victims of the conflict having lower dietary energy supply. The propensity score matching estimates do not alter the main findings. Other robustness checks including firstly, subsamples of households with children and secondly, alternative estimation of conflict intensity provide mixed but encouraging evidence that supports the impact of conflict on food security.