Improved methods, techniques and tools for FIVIMS | FIVIMS - Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping Systems

Improved methods, techniques and tools for FIVIMS

One of the aims of the FAO-FIVIMS programme is that of supporting the development of improved methods and tools for food insecurity

Glossary: food insecurity

A situation that exists when people lack secure access to sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active and healthy life. It may be caused by the unavailability of food, insufficient purchasing power, inappropriate distribution, or inadequate use of food at the household level. Food insecurity, poor conditions of health and sanitation, and inappropriate care and feeding practices are the major causes of poor nutritional status. Food insecurity may be chronic, seasonal or transitory.

and vulnerability

Glossary: vulnerability

The presence of factors that place people at risk of becoming food insecure or malnourished, including those factors that affect their ability to cope.

analysis, including enhanced data management, mapping and other monitoring and assessment techniques. More specifically it includes the delivery of reference materials, guides, manuals, handbooks and software applications for the management and effective use of national and sub-national data and information. Examples of the products mentioned above can be found in each of the 6 thematic areas of FIVIMS (left-hand column). Noteworthy examples are:

FIVIMS Tools and Tips

FIVIMS Tools and Tips Kit is a set of maps and methodological tools developed by FAO's food security

Glossary: food security

A situation that exists when all people, 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.

and Agricultural Projects Analysis Service (ESAF) as a contribution to the FIVIMS initiative, to assist in the initial phases of FIVIMS' development at country level.

The FIVIMS Tools and Tips kit can also be used for presentations on food security and vulnerability, and for the promotion of food security and vulnerability information and mapping systems with donors and decision makers.

The Kit includes two sets of documents:

Posters and Maps: features basic posters and maps answering FAQs on FIVIMS such as what is FIVIMS, how to establish one, where and why. Posters and Maps are available in GIF format.
Tools and Tips: contains documents proposing tools and tips for the development and implementation of food insecurity and vulnerability information and mapping system at national or subnational levels. Tools and Tips are available in PDF format (see right hand column on this page).

FIVIMS Tips and Tools is available also in French and Spanish: please contact the FIVIMS Secretariat for a copy.

Guidelines for National FIVIMS: backgrounds and principles

This document was produced in 1998 and aims at giving guidance to countries on how to establish FIVIMS at national level.The guidelines are organized into six chapters covering: the problem to be addressed by FIVIMS, the current state of relevant national information systems, the main objectives and operating principles of national FIVIMS, the expected benefits and main user groups, typical information products and dissemination methods, and steps for institutionalization. A copy can be found here.

Other guidance material includes, for example, the nutrition guidelines on Individual and Household Dietary Diversity, or the Houshold Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) Indicators Guide, or the Guidelines on how to chose the best poverty mapping method. Each of the thematic area pages in this website contains a list of manuals and handbooks (where relevant) to give guidance on the various aspects of food security analysis.