Introduction: Currently, food insecurity, particularly in less-developed countries, has been exacerbated by climatic fluctuations, threatening the livelihoods of many households. An examination of climate change impacts in the Lake Urmia Basin reveals that long-term precipitation patterns and annual mean temperature have been significantly affected by climate change. Since this basin is a key agricultural region, intensified climatic fluctuations combined with human interventions have disrupted the lake’s ecosystem, damaged agricultural lands, and undermined local livelihoods. The main objective of this study is to analyze the impacts of climate change and drought on the livelihoods and food security of local communities in the Lake Urmia Basin. Specifically, the study seeks to answer how water resource depletion and declining agricultural production affect household livelihoods and food security, and what socio-economic consequences arise for local communities.
Materials and Methods: This applied research was conducted using a descriptive–survey method in the field. The statistical population included 300 residents from five rural settlements in the southern part of the Lake Urmia Basin. The primary data collection tool was a structured questionnaire encompassing diverse indicators to assess household livelihood status, food security, and adaptation strategies. Field data were collected through a non-random convenience sampling method. Finally, the data were processed using SPSS software, and the results were presented in the form of statistical tables and data analysis.
Results: The results indicate that drying of farmlands and orchards and shortages of water resources are the most direct impacts of drought, leading to reduced agricultural and livestock production and decreased household income. Loss of natural resource–based jobs, livestock mortality, and increased rural outmigration were also reported as major consequences. The findings further show that household food security has been severely compromised: a substantial share of household income is spent on purchasing food, while financial capacity to afford sufficient and diverse diets has markedly decreased. This highlights the fragility of food security and the weakening of livelihood resilience.
Discussion: The study concludes that drought, through water scarcity and reduced agricultural production, threatens the food security and livelihoods of rural households. The high dependency on governmental support and adoption of high-risk livelihood strategies underscores the fragility of household resilience. Strengthening targeted support, promoting drought-resistant cropping patterns, and enhancing food security policies are among the key recommended strategies. Rather than focusing solely on the climatic dimensions of drought in Lake Urmia, this study emphasizes the direct consequences of the phenomenon on household livelihoods and local food security. The research’s main innovation lies in its simultaneous analysis of the environmental and social impacts of drought and its explanation of the interconnections between reduced water access, livelihood instability, and food insecurity—a topic that has received limited attention in previous studies in this region. The findings can inform the development of targeted policies for sustainable development, livelihood planning, and food security in climate-vulnerable areas.