Hostname: page-component-6bf8c574d5-8gtf8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-02-21T20:58:16.842Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Effects of Cultural Factors on Food Assistance After Disaster: A Scoping Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2025

Hüseyin Koçak Open the ORCID record for Hüseyin Koçak [Opens in a new window] ,
Esma Karakuş Open the ORCID record for Esma Karakuş [Opens in a new window] ,
Cüneyt Çalışkan Open the ORCID record for Cüneyt Çalışkan [Opens in a new window] ,
Nihal Dağ Open the ORCID record for Nihal Dağ [Opens in a new window] ,
Kerem Kınık Open the ORCID record for Kerem Kınık [Opens in a new window]  and
Aysun Güzel Open the ORCID record for Aysun Güzel [Opens in a new window]
Hüseyin Koçak
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Aid and Disaster Management, Hamidiye Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Turkey
Esma Karakuş*
Affiliation:
Department of Disaster Medicine, Hamidiye Institute of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
Cüneyt Çalışkan
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Aid and Disaster Management, Hamidiye Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Turkey
Nihal Dağ
Affiliation:
Department of Disaster Medicine, Hamidiye Institute of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
Kerem Kınık
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Aid and Disaster Management, Hamidiye Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Turkey
Aysun Güzel
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Aid and Disaster Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey
*
Corresponding author: Esma Karakuş; Email: esmakarakus97@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this scoping review is to identify the cultural factors that influence the acceptance of food aid by those affected by disasters.

Methods

A literature review was conducted on articles published in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect databases until March 30, 2023, using keywords determined within the scope of the subject. This study follows the PICOS (participation, intervention, comparison, outcomes, study desings) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Twelve articles that met the inclusion criteria were included in the findings.

Results

The study comprised 12 articles, of which 3 were cross-sectional, 5 were qualitative, 1 was descriptive, and 3 were mixed method studies. Thematic analysis identified 7 themes that emerged from the cultural factors/codes affecting nutrition activities in disasters: local and traditional food, socio-economic status, faith/religion, traditional practices and habits, cultural food beliefs and taboos, food sharing, and social organization.

Conclusions

A considerable body of research indicates that the selection of local and traditional foods is a key cultural factor influencing the efficacy of nutrition interventions and food assistance programs in the aftermath of disasters. It is therefore essential to take into account the identified cultural factors in order to ensure that the nutrition intervention is both accurate and efficient, and to enhance the acceptance of the population.

Keywords

disasterlocal traditional foodalternative foodculturenutrition
Type
Systematic Review
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 19 , 2025 , e43
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Dembedza, VP, Chopera, P, Mapara, J, et al. The relationship between climate change induced natural disasters and selected nutrition outcomes: a case of cyclone Idai, Zimbabwe. BMC Nutr. 2023;9(1):19. doi:10.1186/s40795-023-00679-zCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ainehvand, S, Raeissi, P, Ravaghi, H, et al. The characteristic features of emergency food in national level natural disaster response programs: a qualitative study. J Educ Health Promot. 2019;8(1):58. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_266_18Google ScholarPubMed
Gunn, SWA. Dictionary of Disaster Medicine and Humanitarian Relief. 2nd ed. Springer New York; 2013. doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-4445-9CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Balachanthar, S, Zakaria, NA, Lee, LK. Development of emergency food assistance design: a nutritionally balanced, culturally tailored and cost-effective strategy for flood mitigation. Ecol Food Nutr. 2018;57(4):314–329. doi:10.1080/03670244.2018.1492380CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Anadolu, Ajansı. Türk Kızılay, Suriye’deki iç savaşta 6,7 milyondan fazla ihtiyaç sahibine yardım ulaştırdı. Published 2022. Accessed June 26, 2023. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/turk-kizilay-suriyedeki-ic-savasta-6-7-milyondan-fazla-ihtiyac-sahibine-yardim-ulastirdi/2565386Google Scholar
Amagai, T, Ichimaru, S, Tai, M, et al. Nutrition in the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster. Nutr Clin Pract. 2014;29(5):585–594. doi:10.1177/0884533614543833CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gomez, KG, MaSE, Ignacio. Adequacy of food aid packs provided during natural disasters: a provincial case study. Acta Med Philipp. 2020;54(5). doi:10.47895/amp.v54i5.2218CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Caiafa, K, Dewey, KG, Michaelsen, KF, et al. Food aid for nutrition: narrative review of major research topics presented at a scientific symposium held October 21, 2017, at the 21st International Congress of Nutrition in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Food Nutr Bull. 2019;40(1):111–123. doi:10.1177/0379572118817951CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peyravi, M, Rahnavard, F, Marzaleh, M. Overview of the strengths and challenges associated with healthcare service rendered in the first 10 days after the Great Flood in Northern Iran, 2019. Trauma Mon. Published online 2020:220–226.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tsuboyama-Kasaoka, N, Ueda, S, Ishikawa-Takata, K. Food and nutrition assistance activities at emergency shelters and survivors’ homes after the Great East Japan earthquake, and longitudinal changes in vulnerable groups needing special assistance. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2021;66:102598. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102598CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Paulose, DT, Cahill, JD. Chapter 93 Displaced populations. In: Partridge, RA, Proano, L, Marcozzi, D, et al., eds. Oxford American Handbook of Disaster Medicine. Oxford University Press; 2012:765–773.Google Scholar
Rahmani, M, Muzwagi, A, Pumariega, AJ. Cultural factors in disaster response among diverse children and youth around the world. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022;24(10):481–491.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Twigg, J. Preparing for disasters and emergencies. In: In Good Practice Review Disaster Risk Reduction: Mitigation and Preparedness in Development and Emergency Programming. Humanitarian Practice Network (HPN); 2004:287–365.Google Scholar
Liberati, A, Altman, DG, Tetzlaff, J, et al. The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses of Studies that Evaluate Healthcare Interventions: explanation and elaboration. BMJ. 2009;339(jul21 1):b2700–b2700. doi:10.1136/bmj.b2700CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tricco, AC, Lillie, E, Zarin, W, et al. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation. Ann Intern Med. 2018;169(7):467–473. doi:10.7326/M18-0850CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
GLIDEnumber V2.0. Accessed July 4, 2024. https://glidenumber.net/glide/public/search/search.jspGoogle Scholar
Hong, QN, Pluye, P, Fàbregues, S, et al. Improving the content validity of the mixed methods appraisal tool: a modified e-Delphi study. J Clin Epidemiol. 2019;111:49–59.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2019.03.008CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Braun, V, Clarke, V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol. 2006;3(2):77–101. doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oaCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pottier, J. Why aid agencies need better understanding of the communities they assist: the experience of food aid in Rwandan refugee camps. Disasters. 1996;20(4):324–337. doi:10.1111/j.1467-7717.1996.tb01047.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Membrebe, BNQ, Briones, CF. Disaster relief foods and food consumption practices of low–income inhabitants in Eastern Visayas, Philippines. Int J Acad Res Environ Geogr. 2016;3(1):41–52.Google Scholar
Asfaw, HW, McGee, TK, Christianson, AC. Indigenous elders’ experiences, vulnerabilities and coping during hazard evacuation: the case of the 2011 Sandy Lake First Nation Wildfire Evacuation. Soc Nat Resour. 2020;33(10):1273–1291. doi:10.1080/08941920.2020.1745976CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Myeni, S, Wentink, GJ. A gendered approach to drought-coping mechanisms: a case of the Lubombo region, Eswatini. J Transdiscipl Res S Afr. 2021;17(1). doi:10.4102/td.v17i1.744Google Scholar
Le Dé, L, Rey, T, Leone, F, et al. Sustainable livelihoods and effectiveness of disaster responses: a case study of tropical cyclone Pam in Vanuatu. Nat Hazards. 2018;91(3):1203–1221. doi:10.1007/s11069-018-3174-6CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bush, J. The role of food aid in drought and recovery: Oxfam’s North Turkana (Kenya) Drought Relief Programme, 1992–94. Disasters. 1995;19(3):247–259. doi:10.1111/j.1467-7717.1995.tb00343.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kodish, SR, Bio, F, Oemcke, R, et al. A qualitative study to understand how Ebola Virus Disease affected nutrition in Sierra Leone-A food value-chain framework for improving future response strategies. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2019;13(9). doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0007645CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Galanis, DJ, Chin-hong, P V., Mcgarvey, ST, et al. Dietary intake changes associated with post-cyclone food aid in western samoa. Ecol Food Nutr. 1995;34(2):137–147. doi:10.1080/03670244.1995.9991455CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
DeYoung, S, Suji, M, Southall, HG. Maternal perceptions of infant feeding and health in the context of the 2015 Nepal Earthquake. J Hum Lact. 2018;34(2):242–252. doi:10.1177/0890334417750144CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jayatissa, R, Bekele, A, Piyasena, CL, et al. Assessment of nutritional status of children under five years of age, pregnant women, and lactating women living in relief camps after the tsunami in Sri Lanka. Food Nutr Bull. 2006;27(2):144–152. doi:10.1177/156482650602700205CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sphere Association. The Sphere Handbook : Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response. Fourt.; 2018. Accessed July 5, 2024. www.spherestandards.org/handbookGoogle Scholar
Muhialdin, BJ, Filimonau, V, Qasem, JM, et al. Traditional foodstuffs and household food security in a time of crisis. Appetite. 2021;165:105298. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2021.105298CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lentz, EC, Barrett, CB, Gómez, MI, et al. On the choice and impacts of innovative international food assistance instruments. World Dev. 2013;49:1–8. doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2013.01.016CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gatto, M, Naziri, D, San Pedro, J, et al. Crop resistance and household resilience – the case of cassava and sweetpotato during super-typhoon Ompong in the Philippines. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2021;62:102392. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102392CrossRefGoogle Scholar
WFP. Procurement. World Food Programme.Google Scholar
Savage, A, Bambrick, H, Gallegos, D. Climate extremes constrain agency and long-term health: a qualitative case study in a Pacific small island developing state. Weather Clim Extrem. 2021;31:100293. doi:10.1016/j.wace.2020.100293CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wentworth, C. Unhealthy aid: food security programming and disaster responses to cyclone pam in Vanuatu. Anthropol Forum. 2020;30(1-2):73–90. doi:10.1080/00664677.2019.1647830CrossRefGoogle Scholar
WFP. The WFP food basket. WFP. Published 2023. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.wfp.org/wfp-food-basketGoogle Scholar
Tsuboyama-Kasaoka, N, Purba, MBP. Nutrition and earthquakes: experience and recommendations. Asia Pac J Clin Nut. Published online 2014:505–513.Google Scholar
Carr, AC, Rowe, S. Factors affecting vitamin C status and prevalence of deficiency: a global health perspective. Nutrients. 2020;12(7):1963. doi:10.3390/nu12071963CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Miassi, YE, Dossa, FK, Zannou, O, et al. Socio-cultural and economic factors affecting the choice of food diet in West Africa: a two‑stage Heckman approach‑. Discover Food. 2022;2(1):16. doi:10.1007/s44187-022-00017-5CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Drewnowski, A, Mognard, E, Gupta, S, et al. Socio-cultural and economic drivers of plant and animal protein consumption in Malaysia: the SCRiPT Study. Nutrients. 2020;12(5):1530. doi:10.3390/nu12051530CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sphere Association. The Sphere Handbook:Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response. fourth edition. Sphere Association; 2018.Google Scholar
Lewis, EC, Colón-Ramos, U, Gittelsohn, J, et al. Food-seeking behaviors and food insecurity risk during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2022;54(2):159–171. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2021.05.002CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Asai, N. Function of social capital embedded in religious communities at times of disaster: cases of disaster relief activity by a Muslim Community and a Soka Gakkai Community in Japan. J Dis Res. 2018;13(7):1323–1332. doi:10.20965/jdr.2018.p1323Google Scholar
Cook, ADB, Shrestha, M, Htet, Zin Bo. An assessment of international emergency disaster response to the 2015 Nepal earthquakes. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2018;31:535–547. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2018.05.014CrossRefGoogle Scholar
360info. Food aid can be food wasted. Published 2022. Accessed July 22, 2023. https://360info.org/food-aid-can-be-food-wasted/Google Scholar
FEMA. Emergency Support Function #6 – Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Temporary Housing, and Human Services Annex.; 2016. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/fema_ESF_6_Mass-Care.pdfGoogle Scholar
Vasilevski, V, Carolan-Olah, M. Food taboos and nutrition-related pregnancy concerns among Ethiopian women. J Clin Nurs. 2016;25(19-20):3069–3075. doi:10.1111/jocn.13319CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tsegaye, D, Tamiru, D, Belachew, T. Food-related taboos and misconceptions during pregnancy among rural communities of Illu Aba Bor zone, Southwest Ethiopia. A community based qualitative cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021;21(1):309. doi:10.1186/s12884-021-03778-6CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goulding, C, Kelemen, M, Kiyomiya, T. Community based response to the Japanese tsunami: a bottom-up approach. Eur J Oper Res. 2018;268(3):887–903. doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2017.11.066CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tearne, JE, Guragain, B, Ghimire, L, et al. The health and security of women and girls following disaster: a qualitative investigation in post-earthquake Nepal. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2021;66:102622. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102622CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dube, E, Mhembwe, S. Heightening gender considerations for women in flood disaster response through resource allocation and distribution in Zimbabwe. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2019;40:101281. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101281CrossRefGoogle Scholar