American Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

In Latin America, food insecurity remains prevalent in regions where extreme poverty and political instability are common. In Mexico, “Los Altos” (highlands) in Chiapas is one of the regions with the highest level of malnutrition. Following the theory of humanitarian action, the federal, state and municipal governments have implemented a total of nine food aid programs in the area. The effectiveness and effects of food aid programs have been questioned in other countries. This study compares the nutritional status of four communities, per the results of the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2012, with two scales of social capital designed by the researchers (inter and intra community redistribution) to understand the effects that participation in food redistribution programs (monetary and in foodstuffs) has on the level of food security of the communities. The results indicate that communities with a higher level of participation in intra-community redistribution are more food secure.