Food Security Framework and Concepts Phase Classification Integrated

Food Security Framework and Concepts Phase Classification Integrated Food Security ain FSTS Training on Food Security Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) 25 – 27 October 2010

What is Food Security? 70’s – 80’s Phase Classification Integrated Food Security q 1974, UN World Food Conference “Availability at all times of adequate world food supplies of basic foodstuffs to sustain a steady expansion of food consumption and to offset fluctuations in production and prices. ” q 1983, UN FAO “Ensuring that all people at all times have both physical and economic access to the basic food that they need. ” q 1986, World Bank “Food security is access of all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life”

What is Food Security? 90’s Food security means an access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food security includes at a minimum (1) the ready availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, and (2) an assured ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways (that is, without resorting to emergency food supplies, scavenging, stealing, or other coping strategies). ” Phase Classification Integrated Food Security q 1990, USDA q 1996, UN FAO “Food security, at the individual, household, national, regional and global levels is achieved when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. ”

What is Food Security? New Millennium q 2001, UN FAO. “Food security is a situation that exists when all people, Phase Classification Integrated Food Security at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. ”

The Multi-dimensional Nature of FS Four main dimensions of food security: 1. Physical AVAILABILITY of food 3. Food UTILIZATION Phase Classification Integrated Food Security 2. Economic, social and physical ACCESS to food 4. STABILITY of the other 3 dimensions over time For food security objectives to be realized, all four dimensions must be fulfilled simultaneously.

The Multi-dimensional Nature of FS Food access refers to access by individuals to adequate resources (entitlements) for acquiring appropriate foods for a nutritious diet. Phase Classification Integrated Food Security Food availability addresses the “supply side” of food security and is determined by the level of food production, stock levels and net trade (including food aid). Utilization is commonly understood as the way the body makes the most of various nutrients in the food. This food security dimension is determined primarily by people’s health status. Stability emphasizes the importance of having to reduce the risk of adverse effects on the 3 other dimensions.

Food Security vs. Self Sufficiency The concept of food self-sufficiency is generally taken to mean the extent to which a country can satisfy its food needs from its own domestic production. Phase Classification Integrated Food Security Two fundamental differences between food self-sufficiency and FS objectives: 1. food self-sufficiency looks only at national production as the sole source of supply, while food security takes into account commercial imports and food aid as possible sources of commodity supply. 2. food self-sufficiency refers only to domestically-produced food availability at the national level, food security brings in elements of stability of supply and access to food by the population.

Food Insecurity • The nature of food insecurity is determined by its duration and severity Phase Classification Integrated Food Security “Food insecurity exists when people do not have adequate physical, social or economic access to food. ” • The impact of food insecurity on people’s life varies significantly according to its duration and severity

Duration of Food Insecurity Inadequate food consumption may vary from a short-term experience to a life long condition. Chronic food insecurity • Long-term & persistent Phase Classification Integrated Food Security Transitory food insecurity • Short-term and temporary • Relatively unpredictable • Can emerge suddenly Results often from: • Chronic poverty • Lack of assets • Inadequate access to productive or financial resources

Duration of Food Insecurity Seasonal food insecurity • Cyclical pattern • • Climate Cropping patterns Work opportunities Prevalence of disease Avail / access to food Q Phase Classification Integrated Food Security Associated with seasonal fluctuation in: Time Seasonality highlights times of the year when the food gap and food needs are likely to be greatest

Severity of Food Insecurity Phase Classification Integrated Food Security The nature, extent and urgency of the assistance needed by affected population groups is determined by how severe food insecurity the term acute food insecurity is usually used to describe a severe and life threatening situation. The intensity of food insecurity may be measured in terms of levels of food intake. Famine describes the most extreme situation usually associated with substantial loss of life

Vulnerability to Food Insecurity Vulnerability is defined in terms of the following three critical dimensions: 1. vulnerability to an outcome; Phase Classification Integrated Food Security 2. from a variety of risk factors; 3. because of an inability to manage those risks. People vulnerable to food insecurity are those who are able to maintain an acceptable level of food security today, but may be at risk of becoming food insecure in future.

Vulnerability to Food Insecurity Vulnerability Analysis Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • VA has implications for both emergency programming and for longer-term food security policies. • VA allows for a more precisely targeted response than a simple estimation of the aggregate food gap. VA suggests 2 main intervention options: either to reduce the degree of exposure to the hazard, or to increase the ability to cope.

Hunger – Malnutrition - Poverty Hunger Phase Classification Integrated Food Security Hunger is usually understood as an uncomfortable or painful sensation caused by insufficient food energy consumption. Scientifically, hunger is referred to as food deprivation. All hungry people are food insecure, but not all food insecure people are hungry, as there are other causes of food insecurity, including those due to poor intake of micro-nutrients.

Hunger – Malnutrition - Poverty Malnutrition Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • Malnutrition results from deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in the consumption of macro- and/or micro-nutrients. • The vast majority of malnourished individuals in the developing world experience undernutrition as opposed to overnutrition. • The consequence of malnutrition is poor infant and child growth and an excess of morbidity and mortality in adults and children alike.

Hunger – Malnutrition - Poverty Malnutrition Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • Nutritional status is determined by: – the quantity and quality of foods consumed; – the ability of the body to use them. These factors are influenced by the interaction of diet, care, and health status. Hence, malnutrition may be an outcome of food insecurity, or it may relate to non-food factors.

Hunger – Malnutrition - Poverty Malnutrition and Food Insecurity are overlapping domains Food Insecure Temporary food insecurity Phase Classification Integrated Food Security Malnourished due to non food reasons Malnourished and food insecure At risk of future food insecurity

Hunger – Malnutrition - Poverty Phase Classification Integrated Food Security “Poverty encompasses different dimensions of deprivation that relate to human capabilities including consumption and food security, health, education, rights, voice, security, dignity and decent work. ” (OECD) • Food insecurity and poverty are deeply interrelated phenomena. • Any attempt to define, measure, or combat them requires that the relationship between them should be explicitly taken into account.

Hunger – Malnutrition - Poverty Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • Although poverty has many dimensions, at an operational level it is most often defined in terms of income. • The most common measures of poverty are national income poverty lines and an individual income of less than US$1 per day.

Hunger – Malnutrition - Poverty Food Insecurity and Poverty: a vicious cycle Phase Classification Integrated Food Security Poverty Low productivity Food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition Poor physical and cognitive development

A modified FIVIMS Framework NATIONAL, SUBNATIONAL AND COMMUNITY LEVEL Socio-economic, Political, Civil, Institutional and Cultural Environment Population Education Macro-economy including FOOD AVAILABILITY domestic production import capacity food stocks, food aid HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES, ASSETS & ACTIVITIES HOUSEHOLD FOOD ACCESS INDIVIDUALS FOOD CONSUMPTION Energy intake Nutrient intake Policies and laws Natural resources Phase Classification Integrated Food Security foreign trade Food Economy HOUSEHOLDS endowment Basic services Market conditions Technology STABILITY weather variability price fluctuations political factors economic factors Climate Civil strife Household characteristics Livelihoods systems Social institutions Cultural attitudes and gender ACCESS TO FOOD poverty purchasing power, income Transport and market infrastructure CARE PRACTICES Child care Feeding practices Nutritional knowledge Food preparation Eating habits Intra-household food distribution NUTRITIONAL STATUS FOOD UTILISATION HEALTH & SANITATION Health care practices Hygiene, Sanitation Water quality Food safety & quality BY THE BODY Health status

Livelihoods Phase Classification Integrated Food Security ‘ A livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets (including both material and social resources) and activities required for a means of living. ” “ A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks and maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in the future, while not undermining the natural resource base. ’ (From: Sustainable Livelihoods Approach, DFID)

Livelihoods in Food Security Analysis Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • A livelihood zone (LZ) is a geographical entity that can be used for the analysis of spatial data, where the object of interest is human outcomes: how are people affected by risk, shocks, and trends in climate or economic processes. • The core assumption is that in any one LZ, people will share roughly the same socio-economic and cultural characteristics, and in particular, that the way of life, or livelihood, is similar. We do not assume that within a livelihood zone all people are the same.

• The primary purpose of collecting and analysing datasets according to livelihood zone is to increase the statistical efficiency of sampling: People within a LZ are likely to be affected in similar ways to a shock or hazard than between LZs. Phase Classification Integrated Food Security Livelihoods in Food Security Analysis

Livelihoods in Food Security Analysis Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • Different livelihoods are differentiated on the basis of a set of attributes such as: – Population numbers and demographic composition – Critical rainfall and other climate statistics (mean, variability, time-series) – Main sources of income and expenditure shares – Crop and livestock production variables – Land use – Elevation – Probabilities associated with certain risks (drought, flood, conflict, etc. )

Phase Classification Integrated Food Security DFID Sustainable Livelihoods Framework

SLF: Livelihoods Assets Natural Capital represents the natural resource stocks from which people derive their livelihood resources. Examples include rangelands, soil fertility, trees, fishing grounds etc. Phase Classification Integrated Food Security The Sustainable Livelihood Approach describes livelihoods according to livelihood Capitals: Human Capital represents the skills, knowledge (including education), ability to labour and good health that together enable people to pursue different livelihood strategies and achieve their livelihood objectives. Physical Capital comprises the basic infrastructure and producer gods needed to support livelihoods, such as bridges, roads, markets and telecommunications.

SLF: Livelihoods Assets Phase Classification Integrated Food Security Social Capital is the social resources upon which people draw in pursuit of their livelihood objectives. In general terms these are developed through networks and connectedness, membership of more formalised groups, and relationships of trust, reciprocity and exchanges (informal safety nets). This capital also includes political inclusion and voice. Financial Capital denotes the financial resources that people use to achieve their livelihood objectives. This can include flows as well as stocks and can contribute to both consumption and production. Commonly, this would comprise earned income, remittances and gifts, savings and access to credit. Livelihood Capitals are interchangeable in a highly dynamic system.

SLF: Transforming Structures and Processes – provides the link between the micro (individual, household and community) and the macro (regional, government, powerful private enterprise). Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • Understanding of structures and processes is crucial (laws, policies, societal norms, and incentives) because: – helps to identify areas where restrictions, barriers or constraints occur and explain social process that could impact on livelihood sustainability. – Access, control and use of assets are influenced by the institutional structures and processes.

SLF: Livelihood Outcomes Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • A focus on outcomes leads to a focus on achievements, indicators and progress. • An understanding of livelihood outcomes is intended to provide, through a participatory enquiry, a range of outcomes that will improve well-being and reduce poverty in its broadest sense.

SLF: Livelihood Strategies ‘Livelihood strategies are composed of activities that generate the means of household survival’ Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • Livelihood strategies change as the external environment over which people have little control changes. • Sometimes unsustainable and unproductive livelihood strategies continue because of tradition and habit • At other times livelihood activities are introduced as coping strategies in difficult times.

SLF: Vulnerability Context People’s livelihoods and their access and control of resources can be affected by events largely beyond their control. Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • The vulnerability context firstly frames the external environment in which people exist. ex: • trends in population growth, (inter) national economics, natural resources, politics, and technology, • sudden shocks or events such as health problems, earthquakes, floods, droughts, conflict, agricultural problems such as pests and disease, economic shocks. • seasonal vulnerability of prices, production, employment opportunities or health can impact on livelihoods • The vulnerability context is secondly about how people adapt to and cope with stresses and shocks.

Hazard Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • A hazard is a threatening event which has to be considered alongside vulnerability to understand the potential impact or risk of food insecurity resulting. Examples: – – Floods Drought Insecurity Economic shock (e. g. rising food prices)

Vulnerability Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • Vulnerability refers to the full range of factors that place people at risk of becoming food insecure, including those factors that affect their ability to cope. • Vulnerability brings in the elements of resilience and coping

Risk • Risk is a composite concept that incorporates exposure to a hazard together with vulnerability to that particular hazard. It is commonly expressed as: Phase Classification Integrated Food Security Risk = Hazard x Vulnerability Coping capacity • Risk= exposure to hazard x vulnerability • Note that vulnerability is specific to a particular hazard, rather than a generic condition.

Coping Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • Coping strategies are the adaptive element in systems that help them to absorb the effects of a hazard. They are generally divided into three types: – Insurance strategies: reversible and preserving productive assets; – Crisis strategies: irreversible, threatening future livelihood – Distress Strategies: no coping, starvation

Resilience – “Resistance” which is the ability of a system (commonly a household or LZ) to absorb the effects of a hazard and remain within a given state (this brings in coping. . . ) Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • There are two aspects to resilience: – “Bounce back” the ability of a system to return to a pre-existing (or new) condition, which incorporates the rate and speed of recovery, and system flexibility/ adaptive capacity.

Resilience Phase Classification Integrated Food Security • Generally a resilient livelihood with abundant assets and ability to be flexible will be less vulnerable to a particular hazard (though there are exceptions) • Change is an opportunity to a resilient livelihood, but potentially disastrous to an unresilient livelihood

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Source: Turner, B. L. , II et al. (2003) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 100, 8074 -8079

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