This paper from the Regional Network on HIV/AIDS, Livelihoods and Food Security (RENEWAL) reviews the literature on migration, HIV and urban food security. The paper draws links between these three factors in the context of Southern and Eastern Africa. It outlines an action research agenda to inform policy and programming within these three interconnected sectors.

Recent research shows a change in the relationship between urban and rural households in this area. The direct transfer of food from rural to migrant urban households is now more significant than the flow of money from migrants back to their families in rural areas. Urban households are more dependent on this source for their food security than they are on exchange with other urban households or urban agriculture. HIV is disrupting this economy as its impact on rural communities is reducing food production. At the same time HIV is reducing the ability of people in urban areas to engage in urban agriculture, which contributes further to food insecurity in urban areas. The paper argues that the long term impact of HIV on development calls for a new approach to creating policies and programmes. It recommends further research on the links between urban and rural households, the different impact of HIV on food security in rural and urban households and potential interventions.