Integrated Food Security Phase Classification · • describe the Integrated Food Security Phase...

Text-only version

IPC Integrated Food Security Phase Classification

Lesson: Communicating for Action

Version 2.0

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IPC Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Communicating for action

Text-only version © FAO 2015

1

In this lesson

LEARNING OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................................................. 2

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................. 2

WHERE YOU ARE IN THE IPC PACKAGE .......................................................................................................................... 2

THE IPC COMMUNICATION TOOL .................................................................................................................................. 3

PART 1 - PROCEDURES ................................................................................................................................................... 6

MAPPING PROTOCOLS ................................................................................................................................................... 7

PART 2 – PROCEDURES .................................................................................................................................................. 8

PART 3 AND PART 4 – PROCEDURES .............................................................................................................................. 9

GENERAL PROCEDURES ............................................................................................................................................... 10

COMMUNICATION APPROACH IN IPC ......................................................................................................................... 11

SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................................................... 12



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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

• describe the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) communication template;

• identify the IPC mapping protocols; and

• understand the active communication approach in IPC.

INTRODUCTION

No matter how well food security analysis is done, if it is not communicated effectively it is not likely to

inform decisions or lead to mitigating food insecurity. Therefore, it is essential that communication is

considered an integral part of food security analysis itself.

In this lesson you will learn about the importance of communicating IPC analysis to decision-makers.

You will review the communication approach in IPC and, in particular, the key parameters and

procedures (the mapping protocols) to complete the four parts of the IPC communication template.

WHERE YOU ARE IN THE IPC PACKAGE

Func

tions

Building Technical

Consensus

Classifying Severity and Causes

Communicating

for Action

Quality

Assurance

Tool

s

TWG MATRIX

ANALYTIC

FRAMEWORKS REFERENCES ANALYSIS

WORKSHEETS

COMMUNICATION

TEMPLATE

SELF ASSESSMENT

PEER REVIEW

Proc

edur

es fo

r

Multi-agency

stakeholders to

do

collaborative

analysis

Understanding

evidence with

an integrated

Analytical

Framework

Referencing

evidence

against

international

standards

Transparently,

methodically

and

consensually

analysing

evidence

Transforming

analyses into concise

information for action

Assuring

quality



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WHY IS COMMUNICATING IPC ANALYSIS IMPORTANT?

Fatma and Alovat, our IPC researchers, are discussing the outcomes of the recent IPC analysis.

“According to our recent IPC assessment, the food security situation of the country remains critical in

some areas for a variety of causes that we have investigated in detail. “ - Alovat

“At this stage, decision-makers need to be informed rapidly about this situation.”- Fatma

Food security analysis is inherently challenging with respect to data sources, methodologies, varying

types of hazards, different livelihood systems and multiple stakeholder institutions. Given this

complexity, once an IPC assessment has been completed, a range of information is classified and

available in a consistent and standardized way.

This information needs to be communicated. The purpose of communicating for action is to provide the

main stakeholders with the key data and information provided by an IPC analysis in a consistent,

accessible and timely manner, including answers to the following questions:

Who are the food insecure?

When will people be food insecure?

Why are people food insecure?

How severe is the situation?

Where are the areas that are food insecure?

How many people are food insecure?

THE IPC COMMUNICATION TOOL

The IPC enables communicating for action by using maps, charts, tables and text, all included in a

standardized communication template. This template is composed of four parts:

Part 1 graphically presents key information on situation analysis

Part 2 is based on a narrative presentation of additional information.

Part 3 shows the population table.

Part 4 includes sections A, B and C of the Analysis Worksheets.



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IPC Information Support System (ISS)

The communication template can be also done online using the ISS application.

The ISS is a Web-based application that has been designed to facilitate global, regional and national

stakeholders in creating, storing, and disseminating IPC analyses and information. To know more about

ISS see Lesson ‘Introduction’.

PART 1

Part 1 includes graphics, maps and summary findings that condense key conclusions in a visually

accessible manner. Top of the template:

The overall number of people

classified in various phases.

The key outcomes

for the worst-

affected area.

A narrative

summary of

causes, context

and key issues.

(name of area) Food composition:

Over 40% of household have

extreme food consumption gaps.

……….

[Example text] three successive years of drought combined with high food prices area immediate causes of famine conditions in the north….

The central area of the template:

A map showing areas classified in various phases using a standardized colour scheme;

Call-out boxes for any areas

that are phases 3, 4 or 5 with additional information specific to those areas;

The identification of participating agencies.



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PART 2

Part 2 is based on a narrative presentation of additional information, including:

Key findings and issues.

Methods, processes and key issues;

Food security seasonal calendar and monitoring implications.

Recommendations for next steps in analysis and decision-making.

PART 3

Part 3 shows population tables to identify how many people are food insecure by administrative unit.

Part 3: Population Tables

Detailed Population Table (insert a detailed population table merging the population tables of all areas. Levels of reporting should be the lowest administration unit subdivided by household food security situation groups when applicable).

Phase1 Phase2 Phase3 Phase4 Phase5

PART 4

Part 4 includes sections A, B and C from Analysis Worksheets for all areas classified, to demonstrate that

the conclusions are evidence-based and to provide more detailed information on each area analysed.

Analysis worksheet Part 4

The Analysis Worksheets are described in detail in Lesson 8, “IPC Classification

Procedures Overview” of this course.



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PART 1 - PROCEDURES

To fill in part 1 of the template:

Define area, temporal unit, date and validity.

Aggregate percentage and number of people in each phase for all areas analysed.

Note the location of the worst-affected area and indicate key outcomes for it (quantified indicators or narrative descriptions).

Add a summary of key information, including any gender aspects of the analysis.

Then, to present information in a visually accessible manner:

Insert a map and complete additional information components. Insert collaborating agencies and contact information.



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MAPPING PROTOCOLS

To create a map showing the IPC classifications for various areas of analysis, use the colour scheme

indicated on the template and specific RGB colour codes. Area mapped is the worst off that has at least

20% of population (20% rule).

Phases RGB colour codes 205, 250, 205

250, 230, 030

230, 120, 000

200, 000, 000

100, 000, 000

The symbols detailed below are added on the map to provide additional information. These include:

Areas in white reflect areas that are not included in the analysis. These might be areas that were never intended to be analysed.

Areas in grey are the ones that do not meet the criteria for minimum evidence. These areas a not classified and are mapped using a grey colour.

The Exclamation mark indicates that an area would likely be at least one phase lower without humanitarian assistance. For more on how to deal with humanitarian assistance information in IPC see Lesson 8 (IPC Classification Procedures Overview), Step 6.

Stars show confidence level of analysis: acceptable (one star), medium (two stars), high (three stars). «Confidence level» is described in detail in Lesson 8 (IPC Classification Procedures Overview), Steps 4 and 5.

A triangle indicates that an area has reached phase 3, 4 or 5 for more than three consecutive years.

Numbers in boxes show the chronic food insecurity level (if available): 1 (not chronically food insecure), 2 (mild), 3 (moderate), 4 (severe). Chronic food insecurity is illustrated in Lesson 4 (IPC Analytical Approach and Overview of Tools).

!

1



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HOUSEHOLD GROUP AND AREA

One template should be filled in for areas only and one for areas and household groups.

Communication Template (Area Only) Communication Template (HH Groups & Area )

For area and household group templates, mapping protocols are the same as for the area only template, plus they show the different household group classifications.

The household group and area template

In the boxes of the household group and area communication template:

• the bar graph is used to indicate the percentage of people in each phase for the area;

• the numbers above the graph show the number and the percentage of people in phases 3, 4 and 5.

210,000 (82%)

PART 2 – PROCEDURES

To complete part 2 of the IPC communication template, add a brief statement for each of the following

boxes.

Key findings and issues -Describe key findings, conclusions and issues that will inform response.

Food security seasonal calendar -Insert or describe the seasonal calendar and identify key

monitoring activities.

Methods and processes - Describe methodological approach and process, assumptions, and

limitations.

Recommendations for next steps - Insert recommendations for the next analytical and decision-

making activities.



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PART 3 AND PART 4 – PROCEDURES

Finally, to complete the communication template:

Fill in Part 3, which shows population tables to identify how many people are food insecure by

administrative unit.

Fill in Part 4 to demonstrate that the conclusions are evidence-based and to provide more detailed

information on each area analysed.

Part 3: Insert a population table at the lowest administrative unit possible showing the phase classification numbers and percentages. Figures are drawn from steps 4 and 5 of analysis worksheets and must be converted to administrative zones.

Part 4: Insert sections A, B and C of each analysis worksheet. This part includes more specific information on each analysis area. Note: It is always used as an annex.

Example: The IPC communication template

The IPC assessment in Insecuristan has been completed. The communication template will be

presented tomorrow in a press conference to the major national and international stakeholders.

Fatma and Alovat are reviewing the final details of the template.

Alovat “Key figures are

reported in the left-hand column

of the box. They show the

number and the percentage of

the population for each phase.

Data related to the worst

affected area indicate the food

security situation. The main causes of this situation are summarized in the right-hand column.“



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Fatma “All areas have been covered by the

analysis and classified. Areas in green are

classified as phase 1. The remaining areas are

classified as phase 2. The assessment was based

on reliable data sources with acceptable or high

levels of confidence (2 or 3 stars). ”

At a closer look at part 1, we can get relevant information on the following issues:

Who are the food insecure? How many are the food insecure?

When are/will people be food insecure? How severe is the situation?

Where are the food insecure? Why are people food insecure?

Who is responsible for the analysis?

Alovat “Then, part 2 provides a summmary of findings, methods and recommendations for next

steps. In part 3, population tables show how many people are classified in phases 1, 2 and 3 for each

area. Part 4 has been included as an annex and provide more detailed information on each area

analysed.“

Review some examples of the IPC Communication template: www.ipcinfo.org/ipc-maps/en/

GENERAL PROCEDURES

Separate communication templates should be prepared for current and projected analyses. Indicate at

the top of the template the date the analysis was completed and the date of validity of the analysis.

For current analysis the “created on” date may be the same as the completion date.

Valid on: 16/02/20XX

Created on : 16/02/20XX

For projected analysis the “valid for” date may be a specific date or a time period for

which the analysis is valid.



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Only areas which meet the criteria for Acceptable Confidence should be classified.

The minimum evidence base for classification of the current situation is:

At least 4 pieces of reliable

evidence from different

contributing factors or

outcome elements.

At least 1 piece of reliable

evidence for any of the food

security outcomes.

The minimum evidence base for classification of the projected situation is: At least 4 pieces of reliable

evidence from different contributing factors or outcome elements.

COMMUNICATION APPROACH IN IPC

Effectively linking the IPC to decision support is strengthened with an overall communication strategy

that identifies

Targeted audience(s);

The appropriate time to issue the analysis according to when/how decisions are made;

The appropriate medium for distributing the communication template (e.g. e-mail, Web);

Arrangements for presentations at strategic fora.

IPC aims for active communication.

Before the analysis During the analysis After the analysis

Ensure that analysis

is done at the strategic

time for decision

support.

Create a

communication plan,

including the format,

medium and audience.

Complete the

communication template.

Disseminate the IPC

communication template.

Engage decision-makers

actively on implications of IPC

analysis for response.

Evaluate your communication

activities.



12

SUMMARY

The purpose of communicating for action is to convey core aspects of situation analysis in a consistent,

accessible and timely manner.

The IPC enables communicating for action by using maps, charts, tables and text in a standardized

communication template to present and describe those core aspects.

The IPC communication template summarizes the core aspects of the situation analysis. It features:

• an IPC map;

• a summary of key findings, issues, methods and recommendations for next steps;

• population tables;

• core sections of the analysis worksheets.

The IPC communication template is only a tool that should be completed and disseminated to all

stakeholders. An overall communication strategy is needed for active and effective linking of IPC to

decision support.

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