Caught in Transition: A Study of Food Security Dynamics in Kismayo's Displaced and Non-Displaced Contexts

The convergence of prolonged conflict, climate change, and population displacement has exacerbated food insecurity in Somalia. In Kismayo, a major trade hub and destination for internally displaced persons (IDPs), limited access to resources, disrupted livelihoods, and inadequate application of standardized tools, such as the Food Consumption Score (FCS), hinder effective risk evaluation and response. This study addresses critical literature gaps by employing a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative surveys (n = 369 households), FCS metrics, and early warning system assessments with qualitative interviews and focus group discussions. The research highlights the role of access to early warning systems, perceived safety, education, residency, and household income in influencing food security outcomes. Findings indicate that 54% of households achieved an acceptable FCS, 31% a borderline level, and 15% a poor level, with an average monthly income of US101. 50. Logistic regression analysis identifies education, residency status, and safety perceptions as significant predictors of higher FCS, while gender showed no statistical significance. The study also reveals inequalities in food security between displaced and non-displaced populations. To enhance resilience, recommendations include expanding income-generating activities, improving community safety mechanisms, broadening protective services, supporting host communities, and enhancing educational opportunities. Addressing food insecurity in urban, displacement-affected settings, such as Kismayo, requires integrated qualitative and quantitative analyses tailored to local contexts.