The Integrated Food Security and Humanitarian Phase

Classification(IPC)

Workshop on Feasibility for Continuous and Integrated Drought Management

21 September 2007NASC, Pusa, New Delhi

Luca Alinovi

FAO, RomeFood Security Information for Action

Programme Manager

We need a….

…. ‘common currency’ for describing nature and severity of crises.

‘Situation Analysis’ in the ‘Analysis-Response Continuum’

SituationAnalysis

Response Analysis

ResponsePlanning

ResponseImple-

mentation

Monitoring/Evaluation

• Severity (phase classification)

• Geographic coverage

• Magnitude (# people)

• Immediate causes

• Underlying causes

• Identification of general needs

• Current responses

• Criteria for social targeting

• Transitory vs. chronic

• Projected trend / scenarios

• Confidence level of analysis

Key Aspects of Situation Analysis

In Summary, what the IPC is…

• A tool for summarizing and communicating Situation Analysis, based on common standards, that links complex information to action

• A technical ‘forum’ for enabling technical consensus

A Common Classification System would lead to…..

• …food security and humanitarian interventions being more:– Needs based– Strategic– Timely

Because a Classification System can enable ….

• Technical consensus

• Comparability over space

• Comparability over time

• Transparency through evidence-based analysis

• Accountability

• Clear early warning

• More strategic response

IPC Reference Table

•Phases include full spectrum

•Broad categories, yet essential differences in implications for action

•Explicit inclusion of ‘livelihood crisis’

• Reference outcomes, not process indicators

• Breadth of humanitarian outcomes

• Current or imminent outcomes on lives and livelihoods

• Fewest possible

• Measurable / practical

• Support phase classification through convergence of evidence

• Strategic Response Framework has three broad objectives

1. mitigate immediate outcomes

2. support livelihoods

3. address underlying causes

• Holistic but not prescriptive

• Early Warning Levels include: alert, moderate risk, and high risk.

• Linked to probability, severity, substantiation, appropriate action, and timeframe

• Based on analysis of process indicators

• Operationalizes concepts of risk, hazard, and vulnerability

Components of the IPC include…

• Reference Table• Analysis Templates• Cartographic Protocols• Standardized Population Tables

Analysis Templates have 3 parts

1. Support of Phase Classification statement

– Direct and indirect evidence– Evaluation of data reliability

2. Key information for mitigating immediate outcomes

– Hazards, effects on access/availability, opportunities for response, etc.

3. Key information for supporting livelihoods and addressing underlying causes

– Underlying causes, effects on livelihood assets, opportunities for addressing underlying causes

The IPC is a tool to ….

• enable a composite analytical statement on food security and humanitarian situations

• for current situation analysis and early warning

• drawing together multiple indicators of human welfare and livelihoods

• for consistent and meaningful analysis.

The IPC summarizes Situation Analysis…

…a distinct stage in the ‘analysis-response continuum’.

And what the IPC is not…

• A method—it draws from multiple methods

• An information system—it is a complimentary ‘add-on’

• Response analysis—this is the next step, which is based on sound situation analysis

Potential for Replication and Expansion

• Consistent and positive feedback from analysts, governments, implementing agencies, donors, media.

• While developed in Somalia context, based on international standards

• Utilized in Kenya, Sudan

• Endorsement by GHA Regional Food Security and Nutrition Working Group

• Being discussed in numerous forums

Kenya Food Security Situation Analysis:

March to June 2007

FY 2006 USGPROGRAMS IN THEHORN OF AFRICA