Formal safety net programs appear to be slightly more available in urban than in rural areas. Informal safety nets in urban areas are not necessarily weaker, just different from those in rural settings. Formal safety nets must ensure that they do not undermine the household's own response to food and nutrition insecurity. Some general principles about what kinds of programs work best under what conditions do exist, but they are few, and in most cases reflect experience in rural areas. Situation-specific information is critical to program choice and design.
Community participation appears essential to success.
An alarming lack of information on the patterns and determinants of food insecurity, malnutrition, and poor health in urban areas is noted throughout the literature review. The data and analytical base for public policy formulation in urban areas are surprisingly weak. A better understanding of these and other issues identified in the review is needed to provide policymakers, development practitioners, and program administrators with the information they need to formulate appropriate responses to food insecurity, malnutrition, and poor health in urban areas. Download full-text discussion paper . Proper citation is required.