Please circulate widely!

Table of Contents:
1. Towards a Common Strategy for the Integrated Food Security and Humanitarian Phase Classification (IPC)
2. New Training Resource: "Food Security Information Systems and Networks"
3. International Workshop on Simple Tools for Measuring Household Access to Food and Dietary Diversity
4. New Publication: FAO- WFP Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (CFSVA)
5. Recent Training Events
6. Coming soon: Nutrition Distance Learning Course will be launched in May 2007



1. Towards a Common Strategy for the Integrated Food Security and Humanitarian Phase Classification (IPC)

Major Food Security and Humanitarian Organizations and Academic Institutions including CARE International, FAO, FEWSNET, WFP, Oxfam GB, Tufts University and Save the Children US and UK, expressed their strong commitment in developing the Integrated Food Security and Humanitarian Phase Classification (IPC).

The IPC is a standardized scale that integrates food security, nutrition and livelihood information into a clear statement about the severity of a crisis as well as implications for humanitarian response. It builds upon internationally accepted standards and supports an evidence-based approach to situation analysis.

http://www.foodsecinfoaction.org/News/news_06_13.htm

2. New Training Resource: "Food Security Information Systems and Networks"

These training materials provide guidance in assessing different kinds of information systems related to food security analysis. They look at institutional responsibilities and give guidelines for assessing and improving food security information systems.

Materials include power point slides, trainer's notes and exercises.

Training Resources: http://www.foodsecinfoaction.org/News/tr_res_02.htm

Related Distance Learning Course: http://www.foodsec.org/DL/dlcourselist_en.asp



3. International Workshop on Simple Tools for Measuring Household Access to Food and Dietary Diversity

Food security and nutrition experts met in Kenya to discuss three tools for assessing household level food access and dietary diversity. Methods for adapting the tools to specific contexts and appropriate settings for their use were also examined.

http://www.foodsecinfoaction.org/News/tr_nut_05.htm



4. New Publication: FAO- WFP Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (CFSVA)

This assessment builds on previous analysis and takes on a comprehensive approach to food security; It includes peoples’ own perceptions, socio-economic statistics, income, expenditure and consumption statistics, food traders’ studies, and a nutrition review.

Executive Summary (548 kb) : http://www.foodsecinfoaction.org/News/docs/CFSVA_Executive_Summary.pdf

Full Report (2.4 Mb) :
http://www.foodsecinfoaction.org/News/docs/CFSVA_WBGS_January_07.pdf



5. Recent Training Events

Producing Food Security Information Products that Result in Action
Tarrafal, Cape Verde
23 - 27 April, 2007
http://www.foodsecinfoaction.org/News/tr_fsip_03.htm

Improving National Capacity for Analyzing Food Consumption Data Related to Food Insecurity and Poverty
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Nairobi, Kenya
26 - 29 March 2007
http://www.foodsecinfoaction.org/News/tr_hbs_04.htm

6-Day Intensive Crop Forecasting Training
Laos ( Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry)
14 - 21 March, 2007
http://www.foodsecinfoaction.org/News/tr_cm_01.htm


This newsletter aims at keeping you up-to-date with the latest news, activities and events related to the EC-FAO Food Security Programme. Share your news and comments by sending a message to:
information-for-action@fao.org

This newsletter is available on-line at: http://www.foodsecinfoaction.org/News/nl_0407.htm