Information for Decision-making in Food Security

Information for Decision-making in Food Security An FAO/WFP briefing note on key global food security information Prepared for an informal discussion at the US Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome 12 March 2012

List of acronyms AMIS ASEAN CFS CILSS EC/JRC FAO FAOSTAT FEWSNET FSAU FSIN GIEWS IFAD IFPRI IPC ISFNS MAFSAN NGO OECD RESAL SADC SC-UK/US UN-HLTF UNCTAD USAID VAM WFP WTO Agricultural Market Information System Association of Southeast Asian Nations Committee on World Food Security Comité permanent Inter-Etats de Lutte contre la Sécheresse dans le Sahel European Community Joint Research Centre Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO s global online statistics database and web application Famine Early Warning System Network (USAID) Food Security Analysis Unit (FAO/Somalia) Food Security Information Network Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (FAO) International Fund for Agricultural Development International Food Policy Research Institute Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Information Systems for Food and Nutrition Security Mapping Actions for Food Security and Nutrition Non-governmental organization Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Réseau Européen de Sécurité Alimentaire (former EU initiative) Southern Africa Development Community Save the Children (in the United Kingdom and/or the United States) United Nations High Level Task Force United Nations Conference on Trade and Development United States Agency for International Development Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (WFP) World Food Programme World Trade Organization

Information for Decision-making in food security An FAO/WFP briefing note on key global food security information The purpose of this joint briefing note is: To illustrate the main food security information currently supported by FAO, WFP and partners and their complementarities. To pinpoint their impact on the development of capacities on data, statistics, analysis and information sharing at country and regional levels. To identify the key outcomes and their expected impact on food security decisionmaking, programmes and policies. To provide the donor community with the essential background for considering financial support for these. Overview Support to effective food security decision-making is a key function of the work of both FAO and WFP. The availability of timely and reliable data, statistics, analysis and information at all levels national, regional and global underpins this work. For decades, governments, donor agencies, UN organizations and international non-governmental organizations have invested in strengthening the collection of basic data and statistics, while enhancing capacity in crosssectoral analysis of available data and information to ensure optimum targeting of investment for enhanced food security in both development and emergency contexts. FAO and WFP have played a critical role in this process, through capacity development at country and regional levels, and through long-term investment in support of their respective mandates, which include setting standards, developing methods and tools for application at country levels, and the production of global public goods. A range of food security information system serve different purposes, addressing the distinct needs of their respective target. To avoid duplication of work and, above all, parallel investment by resource partners, it is essential to clarify and map the similarities and differences among the various food security information, as well as their linkages. Investment in food security information systems is crucial for: Developing in-country and regional capacity in data collection, analysis and dissemination Management of global databases, analysis and information systems providing access to data sets and information products as global public goods (e.g. FAOSTAT, GIEWS, SOFI) Informing critical operational and policy decision-making, while also providing capacity development and public goods functions (e.g. USAID/FEWSNET, WFP/VAM, ex-eu/resal) Page 2

How is food security information used? The data, statistics and information generated, analysed and disseminated through the food security information system described in this briefing note contribute to a wideranging set of objectives or purposes, each characterized by specific needs and target or users. These include: generation of primary data and statistics seasonal monitoring and early warning household food security and vulnerability analysis market transparency disaster risk management (including emergency assessment and response) policy and programme formulation; targeting of investment advocacy Differences and complementarities towards greater clarity Differences, commonalities and linkages exist among the various food security information. On pages 5 14 we provide summary descriptions of the key information system, networks and partnerships in which FAO and WFP have a major stake. The summaries outline their purpose (or key function), target, key players, partners, products/outputs and institutional set-ups. The different can be grouped into three categories: (A) Established programmes in FAO and WFP FAOSTAT FAO Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (FAO/GIEWS) WFP s Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (WFP/VAM) programme (B) Strategies, partnerships and networks to strengthen food security information work worldwide Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics FAO/WFP Joint Strategy on Information Systems for Food and Nutrition Security (ISFNS) Food Security Information Network (FSIN) (C) Information systems and decision support tools Agricultural Marketing Information System (AMIS) Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Mapping Actions for Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSAN) CountrySTAT Page 3

Discussion points BRIEFING NOTE All of the listed above are concerned in some way with data, statistics, analysis and information relating to the national, regional and/or global food security situation, and there are strong linkages and interdependencies among them. More detailed illustrations of these will be presented during the discussion, together with a summary matrix. As will be clear from the summary descriptions, a number of the are targeted at meeting the specific information needs (e.g. AMIS, IPC, MAFSAN) of their client groups; s are strategy statements, programmes or networks with implementation plans designed to improve coordination and investment in the technical capacity of countries and regions to generate credible food security data, statistics and information. Clearly, all these initiative need financial resources to deliver on their objectives and outputs. Some are supported (at least in part) by the core budgets of FAO and WFP (e.g. group A). However, even these require substantive additional funding for work carried out at the country and regional levels. Page 4

(A) Established programmes in FAO and WFP FAOSTAT FAO s main comprehensive global online database and web application providing time-series and cross-sectoral data relating to hunger, food and agriculture for approximately 245 countries and 35 regional areas from 1961 to the present. Provides access to timely and quality statistical data on the food and agricultural sectors (including fisheries and forestry) at global, regional and national levels. Provision of time-series and cross-sectoral data (including food security statistics), data visualization and analysis tools to help users derive relevant indicators and information products for a large variety of purposes. International, regional and national organizations; national institutions; universities; NGOs, journalists, general public Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Disseminate FAO-validated data on agriculture and food security covering all relevant sectors Support analyses and reporting of food security with relevant data and information products Maintain a network of data producers at national level to access timely data and standardize data collection methodologies Strong in-house expertise on agricultural and food security statistics Efficient data collection system through a wide network of national institutions Technological renovation of the system with opportunity to increase data dissemination coverage and online analytical capacity New FAOSTAT platform to be delivered soon as pilot version Improved links with national data providers through technologies and standards Increased capabilities to offer analytical tools for the benefit of all users via the Internet Established cross-divisional programme within FAO CountrySTAT, AMIS, ADAM (Agricultural Development Assistance Mapping) and MAFSAN, Mitigation of Climate Change in Agriculture project (MICCA) and many s Page 5

Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS) Established following the 1974 World Food Conference. FAO s global information system for monitoring food security in all countries in the world. Provide policy makers and policy analysts with the most up-to-date, accurate and timely information available on all aspects of food security. GIEWS has a global audience, including member states, regional organizations, development partners, research and academic institutions, the private sector and the general public. GIEWS is a worldwide network which includes 116 governments, 3 regional organizations, 61 NGOs and numerous trade, research and media organizations. Provide early warning of imminent food crises, so that timely interventions can be planned and human suffering avoided Provide policy makers and policy analysts with the most up-to-date and accurate information available on all aspects of food supply and demand Provide capacity development support to national and regional to enhance food information and early warning systems Crop monitoring and forecasting Maintenance of cereal supply/demand balances, including forecasts Price and market monitoring, including maintenance of domestic food price database and technologically advanced price data and analysis tool Joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Missions (CFSAMs) Development of improved methods for food security assessment Crop Prospects and Food Situation; Food Outlook; GIEWS country briefs; Alerts; Global Food Price Monitor; online Food Price Data and Analysis Tool Joint FAO/WFP CFSAM reports Established cross-divisional programme housed in FAO s Trade and Markets Division WFP/VAM, FEWSNET, FAO/WFP ISFNS, AMIS, FSIN Page 6

WFP Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (WFP/VAM) First VAM Unit set up in 1994. Today, VAM is a WFP information tool, carried out by a network of more than 250 food security analysis experts worldwide. To provide food security and vulnerability analysis to WFP and partners to guide the design and management of food security interventions. Governments, donors, regional bodies, IGOs, NGOs, academic and research institutions and media. All food security analysis reports are publicly available on www.wfp.org Governments, regional institutions (e.g. CILSS, ASEAN, SADC), IGOs (in particular FAO, UNHCR, UNICEF, IFPRI, World Bank), EC Joint Research Center, FEWSNet, international and local NGOs, academic and research institutions Provide analysis of who is food insecure, how many, why and when and what responses are appropriate. Monitor food security situations to identify potential threats to household food security for timely response and actions; Emergency assessments Baseline studies Food security monitoring Market analyses GIS / remote-sensing Risk analysis Advocacy Capacity building Emergency Food security Assessments (EFSAs), Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analyses (CFSVAs), Market analyses and monitoring, Food security monitoring systems, Crop and Food Security Assessment Missions (CFSAM with FAO), Joint Assessment Missions (with UNHCR), GIS maps and ad hoc studies Established WFP function managed by the Food Security Analysis Service ISFNS, FSIN, AMIS, Global Pulse Page 7

(B) Strategies, partnerships and networks to strengthen food security information work worldwide BRIEFING NOTE Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics Endorsed by the United Nations Statistical Commission and FAO governing bodies in 2010, this is a global partnership to strengthen countries capacity to produce basic agricultural statistics. Build sustainable statistical systems in developing countries for accurate and reliable agricultural and rural data to guide policy analysis and decision-making. Development planners/decision-makers concerned with policy formulation, programme planning, monitoring, evaluation, tracking of results and impact All major national, international and regional statistical agencies Improve statistics for food security, sustainable agriculture and rural development Produce a minimum set of core data and determine national priorities Integrate agricultural statistics into national statistical systems Foster the sustainability of agricultural statistics through governance and statistical capacity development New cost-effective statistical methods and tools Strengthened institutional capacity (capacity development) Dissemination of a minimum set of core data Led by FAO under the auspices of the UN Statistics Commission and in close collaboration with the World Bank and international, regional and national statistical agencies AMIS, FAO/WFP ISFNS, GIEWS, FSIN Page 8

FAO/WFP Information Systems for Food and Nutrition Security (ISFNS) Linkages with Independent Evaluation of FAO/WFP information systems for food security in 2010; reviewed by FAO Programme Committee and WFP Executive Board in 2011. Serves to strengthen ISFNS capacity at country/regional levels and enhance FAO-WFP collaboration in generating food security information products. Strengthen ISNFS capacity at county levels based on FAO and WFP knowledge, methods and tools; improve in-country monitoring and assessments and harmonize production and dissemination of global public goods (statistics, analysis, knowledge). Member countries and regional organizations to strengthen ISFNS, global audience of development partners, researchers and academia FAO and WFP, in close collaboration with national, regional and international partners In response to an demand by member countries, provide information services and capacity development support at country and regional levels Strengthen coordination and focus of ISFNS work within FAO and with WFP Serve as a global reference for food and nutrition security standards, statistics, analysis and information Capacity development to support information systems on food and nutrition security of member countries Standards, methods, and tools for information systems on food and nutrition security Monitoring and in-country food security and nutrition assessments Statistics, information and analysis on food and nutrition security (global public goods) Strengthened capacities of national partners to support ISFNS data collection, processing and analysis Methods and tools for hunger statistics are consolidated and improved Improved monitoring of traditional and emerging threats to food and nutrition security Greater integration and harmonization of monitoring, analysis and early warning Statistics, information and analyses on food and nutrition security respond to user requirements and emerging issues and are easily accessible FAO and WFP ensure their ISFNS products and services are coherent with each and keep food and nutrition security high on the policy agenda Joint FAO/WFP Steering Committee; Joint Technical Teams ( Pillar Teams ) Information systems managed by regional institutions (e.g. CILSS, ASEAN, SADC), national institutions and international partners (e.g. FEWSNET, IPC, Global Strategy on Statistics, GIEWS, WFP/VAM) Page 9

Food Security Information Network (FSIN) Following consultation among key stakeholders in 2010 11, the FSIN aims to be a global community of practice/professional association that will support the strengthening of food security information systems at national and regional levels. Build a worldwide food security information network for food security information professionals at country, regional and global levels. Member countries, regional organizations, development partners and practitioners interested in strengthening food security information systems capacity Start-up: FAO, IFPRI, WFP. Once fully established: food security information practitioners at national, regional and international levels Strengthen the quality of country data, analysis and information, governed by common standards, where both local and international decision-makers are better informed of timely and objective information from country and regional institutions. A network of professionals at national, regional and international levels Access to global datasets, knowledge and expertise A grant facility for in-country/regional capacity development Easy access to harmonized methods, tools and standards for food security and nutrition analysis for capacity development Nationally coordinated, well-functioning food security information systems exist in part due to capacity and institution development activities leveraged by FSIN A community of practice established as the core of the FSIN, supported by a broad range of partners, providing resources and tools to support information sharing and gathering, technical advice and learning resources Advisory board (tba); technical working group; community of practice Information systems managed by regional institutions (e.g. CILSS, ASEAN, SADC), national institutions, and international partners (e.g. FEWSNET, FAO/WFP ISFNS, ReSAKSS, Global Strategy on Statistics, GIEWS, WFP/VAM) Page 10

(C) Information systems and decision-support tools Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) An initiative of the G20 launched in June 2011, AMIS is a multi-agency open global agricultural market information system with a secretariat at FAO. Monitor developments on international food markets with a view to identifying vulnerability and heightened risk of excessive price movements, such that appropriate responses and contingency plans can be formulated and put in place before a crisis develops. Policy makers as well as importers, exports, producer and consumers of major food commodities FAO, IFAD, IFPRI, WFP, OECD, World Bank, WTO, UNCTAD, UN-HLTF Improve data timeliness and credibility, market analysis and policy response for increased market transparency, as a means to reduce volatility, while also providing a forum to promote enhanced coordination of policy responses. Improve agricultural market information, analyses and forecasts at national and international levels Report on abnormal international market conditions, including structural weaknesses, and strengthen global early warning capacity on these movements Collect and analyse policy information, promote dialogue and responses, and international policy coordination Build data collection capacity in participating countries Improvement in global market outlook data reliability, timeliness and frequency Issuing alerts in cases of heightened risk Increased policy coherence Regular reporting on market conditions and policy changes Capacity development to improve countries own market intelligence and short-term outlook Secretariat at FAO (main drivers : FAO, OECD, World Bank) Rapid Response Forum Global Food Market Information Group Global Strategy on Statistics, GIEWS, WFP/VAM, FSIN, s Page 11

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) First developed by FAO under the Somalia Food Security Analysis Unit in 2005. A standardized scale that integrates food security, nutrition and livelihood information into a clear statement about the nature and severity of a crisis and implications for strategic response. Build consensus and facilitate decision-making through a common currency for classifying food security; situation analysis and early warning functions. Governments, donors, regional bodies, IGOs, NGOs, academic and research institutions and the media CARE, EC/JRC, FAO, FEWSNET, Oxfam GB, SC-UK/US, WFP Strengthen food security analysis and decision-making at country, regional and global levels based on agreed standards and consensus building ization of the IPC among key stakeholder organizations, including national governments, UN agencies, NGOs and technical agencies Training and certification of IPC practitioners globally Technical support and capacity building to national governments IPC maps with food security classification Food security situation analysis and early warning messages Capacity development and institution building Secretariat for Global hip at FAO Joint FAO/WFP ISFNS, FSIN, GIEWS, WFP/VAM Page 12

Mapping Actions for Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSAN) A web-based platform to help stakeholders at country, regional and global levels to share information about their investments in food security and nutrition. Management of information on actions and investments in support of food security and nutrition ( who does what, where, when, why and with what resources? ). National governments, regional organizations, civil society organizations, development partners Member countries, Development Gateway, AidData, Aid Management Platforms, Committee on World Food Security (CFS) Task Team on Mapping food security actions at country level Strengthen capacity of governments and food security stakeholders for more informed decisions on investments in food and nutrition security and more systematic stakeholder coordination Mapping of domestic and external investments in support of food security and nutrition at country level Countries and regional organizations are responsible for their own data gathering, entry and management Ability to produce standardized or customized queries and reports, including aggregation and comparison of data within and across countries, agencies, sectors, over time, etc. Easy web-based access to up-to-date information Database on projects and programmes, linked to national, regional and global policies and strategies Reports on total resource commitments from different sources, for different activity types, locations, implementing partners, time periods, etc. Global: FAO manages the web platform, in coordination with the CFS Task Team on Mapping food security actions at country level National: Focal points designated by relevant ministries, national working groups Development Gateway (AidData and Aid Management Platforms) Ending Child Hunger and Undernutrition Initiative (REACH) Development Gateway; AidData and Aid Management Platforms CFS Task Team on Mapping food security actions at country level Page 13

CountrySTAT What is it? (or function) A framework that provides tools and capacity development toward improved agricultural statistics at national and regional levels which can be accessed via the internet. Through the increased accessibility of statistics on agriculture and food CountrySTAT can guide policy analysis and decision-making within government, the donor community and the private sector, as well as provide information to research institutions. National governments, regional organizations, researchers, policy makers, and development organizations Focal institutions in 21 countries in sub-saharan Africa, Monitoring African Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP), East African Community (EAC), and the World Food Programme Strengthen the technical capacity of national staff to improve data quality and accessibility through partnerships with key national institutions. Results are improved statistics for food security analysis and decisionmaking. Produce a minimum set of core data following FAOSTAT Standards National validation of the data through the Technical Working Group Increased accessibility of the data as a result of the web-based dissemination Provide guidance in the area of communications to raise visibility of the national CountrySTAT System Sustainability of the system through statistical capacity development and mainstreaming CountrySTAT in the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) andstatistical Budget, and through advocacy of the system as the national one-stop centre for statistics on agriculture and food Nationally validated data that are reliable and supported by metadata Strengthened national capacity for the management of the data and the national CountrySTAT site Core data that can provide inputs to FAOSTAT to replace country questionnaires Strengthened institutional collaboration and ownership of data Led by FAO in close collaboration with regional and national statistical agencies FAOSTAT, MAFAP Page 14