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LIVING THROUGH CRISES
and banks do not help us.” Faced with high credit risk and a slowdown in economic activity, banks are restricting lending to the most creditworthy customers only. Some operators might be able to access credit but fear that they may not be able to pay back the loans and so prefer not to take risks as retailers. To overcome limited access to bank credit, initiatives such as cooperative arrangements among professional groups are being set up. Most of these arrangements, however, are hampered by the effects of the crisis on the revenues of contributors. In the Sandaga market, a large cooperative fund operated on its own equity, but because the members could not make regular payments, it closed up: “Before, that is to say 10 years ago, we had a cooperative fund operating. But with the crisis, people could not pay. Hence, the fund failed. We have no help from the government. If there was no crisis, we would have our own funds, but now we are no more able to have them.” Coping Mechanisms Adjustments in Consumption: Reducing the Quality and Quantity of Food. It is clear from the FGDs and the individual interviews that the crisis has changed food consumption habits. Indeed, some rural households, especially farmers, have managed to maintain their food consumption because often they can rely on their own production. The impact has been severe in urban areas, where households have been exposed to soaring prices for basic commodities, such as rice, that are usually imported. To deal with inflation, they have been forced to revise their food purchases downward: “We have changed our daily lives; we don’t eat anymore what we used to eat. I am happy with whatever comes. There was a time when I could spend daily CFAF 10,000 and have chicken and meat. We ate good fish but now I try to spend CFAF 5,000 and accept everything that I get. I have no choice. Fortunately, our families understand and adapt to the situation as it affects the entire family.” Adults are the first to cut their food consumption: “We prefer to feed the children and stay like that. As for me, in the morning I’m going to sell my wares. Sometimes it works; sometimes it does not. All day I do not eat. But I do everything for my children to eat.” But children are also affected: “There are problems of malnutrition, and I think it’s unfortunate for our children. When we were kids, the food was good and food was available. We ate well.” The situation is particularly difficult in womenheaded households.