Food Security and Early Warning Information System
In 2000, FAO produced a handbook for defining and setting up a food insecurity
Glossary: food insecurity
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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. 
information and early warning system (FSIEWS). This handbook describes the FSIEWS (food security
Glossary: food security
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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 Early Warning Information System) method for the benefit of the community of governmental and non-governmental actors engaged in the fight against hunger. It is addressed to national technical managers, central and decentralized, as well as to their technical assistance co-workers.

The Handbook aims to provide national technical managers, central and decentralized, as well as to their technical assistance co-workers them with a procedure to follow and an array of useful instruments for the different stages.

This handbook takes stock of the lessons of an experience that is being added to all the time; it will require further additions and corrections, thanks to the indispensable contributions of those who, in widely varying conditions, countries and regions, are actually carrying out the work of establishing and using instruments for bringing about food security. Rooted as it is in the practicalities of the field, this book has an important contribution to make to the ability of governments to know who, where and why people are affected or threatened by food insecurity - a prerequisite of any action to remedy such a situation.