The Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) Workstation

The GIEWS Workstation is a tool for managing food security related information at global, regional and national levels.



It aims at:
- harmonizing food security and early warning data within and across countries; and
- strengthening the analytical capacity of national institutions so that they can formulate better food security policies and emergency interventions.

The GIEWS Workstation manages the following types of information:
- remote sensing data;
- GIS layers;
- databases; and
- texts.

A Networked Approach

Individual workstations in different countries are part of a global network. They share information thanks to a communication tool built with “peer-to-peer” technology (similar to that used for sharing music on the Internet).

Software Tools

The Workstation includes software tools that analyze the food security implications of natural and man-made disasters. The tools process both current and historical data in order to detect anomalies in environmental and economic factors (e.g. drought; excessive increase of market prices) which may affect food security.

The workstation also includes text management tools that make it easy to write and disseminate early warning messages.

It uses open-source technology to avoid license constraints and so that it can be freely distributed. 

Activities and Partnerships

Related activities include:
- training;
- collecting data; and
- developing more tools.

National partners are fully involved in these activities. They play an important role in:
- ensuring data quality; and
- making sure the tools are relevant for their country.