Although food security has become a growing concern in the developing countries, scant attention has been
given on assessing the status of food security among the urban slum dwellers living in the major cities of
Bangladesh. Therefore, this study is an attempt to assess the food security situation of slum households under
different socio-economic characteristics commonly existing in the slum areas of Rajshahi City Corporation.
To this end, data from 120 slum households were collected from different slum areas of the city corporation.
The households were selected using random sampling method and the data were collected through face-toface
interview method using a structured questionnaire. The analysis was performed firstly, by measuring the
food security status of the households using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and secondly, by
analyzing the food security status with respect to different socio-economic attributes of the slum households.
The findings of the study revealed that the extent of food insecurity among the urban slum households was
very high (87.5%), the majority of which are severely (50.83%) food insecure. It is also found that the extent
of food security varies with different socio-economic traits of the households. This study finally suggests that
special safety net programmes and income generating schemes should be introduced to help upgrade the
food security status of these people.