The composite conceptual, analytical and operational framework for
FSAU’s Livelihoods-Based Analysis is entitled the
FSAU Food Security Analysis System (FSAS). Click here to see a comprehensive visualization of the FSAU FSAS (.pdf 285 KB).Within
the broadly accepted conceptual pillars of access, availability,
utilization, and stability, the FSAS operationally and conceptually
draws together:
• Core sectors for analysis--pastoralism, agriculture, climate, markets, nutrition, conflict and natural resources,
• Scales of analysis—macro, meso and micro levels, with emphasis on the meso level scale of Livelihood Zones
• Core analytical activities—baseline
livelihoods analysis, annual food security vulnerability projections,
rapid food security and nutrition assessments, livelihoods key
indicator monitoring at both the macro and meso level, nutrition
surveillance and analysis, and applied research.
• Information support activities—database development, Digital Library, web site, Spatial Data Tracker, and the FSAU Resource Center,
• Key outputs/products—including
the monthly FSAU Food and Nutrition Brief, the Nutrition Update, the
Climate Data Update, the Market Data Update, the FSAU Technical Series,
the FSAU Food and Livelihood Security Phase Classification, and
research articles.
Unique characteristics of the FSAU Food Security Analyses System include:
• Holistic understanding
of behaviors and structures that constitute peoples’ livelihoods, with
ultimate interest in food security outcomes.
• Multi-scale approach,
with a focus on meso-level analysis based on Livelihood Zones,
while drawing from an understanding of macro and micro level analysis
• Mixed methods, including quantitative and qualitative analysis on secondary and primary data
• Integration of sectoral analysis,
whereby key sectors are analyzed in sufficient depth, as well as
breadth to ensure strong linkages between sectors and hence a holistic
approach.
• Analysis of both behaviors (livelihood strategies) and structures (livelihood assets) to enable strategic short and long-term interventions to promote food security.
