To enable strong linkages between information and response, FSAU has developed a standardized scale with consistent criteria to integrate multiple facets of food and livelihood security information into a simple statement indicating levels of severity and implications for humanitarian response. This information is mapped in a consistent manner indicating geographic areas of concern, levels of severity, a causal summary, and projected trend.


Since February 2004 the Food Security Analysis Unit for Somalia (FSAU1) has been using and progressively developing a tool to meet these challenges called the Integrated Food Security and Humanitarian Phase Classification (IPC2).  Drawing from extensive literature on international humanitarian guidelines, aspects of existing classification systems, and in situ analysis of food security in Somalia, the IPC has consistently proven to improve analysis and enable more effective response.  The IPC summarizes Situation Analysis, a distinct, yet often overlooked (or assumed) stage of the food security analysis-response continuum.  Situation Analysis is a foundational stage whereby fundamental aspects (severity, causes, magnitude, etc) of a situation are identified-aspects for which there is optimally broad-based consensus by key stakeholders including governments, UN and NGO agencies, donors, the media, and target communities.

The analytical logic of the IPC is that varying phases of food security and humanitarian situations are classified based on outcomes on lives and livelihoods.  Outcomes are a function of both immediate hazard events along with underlying causes, and the specific vulnerabilities of livelihood systems (including both livelihood assets and livelihood strategies).  The outcomes are referenced against internationally accepted standards, and their convergence substantiates a phase classification for any given area.  Each phase is associated with a unique strategic response framework, while the outcome configuration for any given situation guides the development of the most appropriate responses within that framework.  While the phase classification describes the current or imminent situation for a given area, early warning levels are a predictive tool to communicate the risk of a worsening phase.  Risk is a function of the probability of a hazard event, exposure, and the specific vulnerabilities of livelihood systems. 

The IPC Reference Table guides analysis for both the Phase Classification and Early Warning Levels.  The Phase Classification is divided into five Phases-Generally Food Secure, Chronically Food Insecure, Acute Food and Livelihood Crisis, Humanitarian Emergency, and Famine/Humanitarian Catastrophe.  The five phases are general enough to accommodate a wide range of causes, livelihood systems, and political/economic contexts-yet their distinction captures essential differences in implications for action (including strategic design, urgency, and ethical imperative). 


A comprehensive set of Key Reference Outcomes on human welfare and livelihoods are associated with each Phase to guide the classification, including: crude mortality rate, acute malnutrition, disease, food access/availability, dietary diversity, water access/availability, destitution and displacement, civil security, coping, and livelihood assets.  The breadth of outcomes enables triangulation and ensures adaptability of the IPC to a wide variety of situations.   Referencing the outcomes to international standards ensures comparability and consistency of the phase classification in different countries and contexts.  The Strategic Response Framework unique to each Phase provides strategic, yet generic guidance to achieve three objectives: (1) mitigate immediate negative outcomes, (2) support livelihoods, and (3) address underlying/structural causes.

The Reference Table also includes three Early Warning Levels:  (1) Alert, (2) Moderate Risk, (3) High Risk.  Each of these is associated with key information required for effective early warning:  Probability, Severity, Reference Hazards and Vulnerabilities, Implications for Action, and Timeline.

The Analysis Templates are tables which organize key pieces of information in a transparent manner and facilitate analysis to substantiate a Phase Classification and guide response analysis.  The Cartographic Protocols are a set of standardized mapping and visual communication conventions which are designed to effectively convey key information concerning situation analysis on a single map.  The Population Tables are a means to consistently and effectively communicate population estimates by administrative boundaries, livelihood systems, and livelihood types.
The IPC is not an assessment method, per se, but a classification system for Situation Analysis that integrates multiple data sources, methods, and analyses (example options for specific assessment methodologies include those endorsed by WFP, ICRC, Save the Children UK, and many others).  Effective use of the IPC encourages a mixed-method approach which is obligatory given the complexity of the analysis and the need for triangulation.  In this manner, the IPC provides a consistent and meaningful structure to the final statement.  To substantiate an IPC statement, whatever the specific methodologies, the legitimacy of data sources and analytical methods is rigorously evaluated and reflected in the overall confidence level.

. Sustained Conditions:  In general, the longer a crisis continues the relatively more essential it is to address underlying or structural causes if interventions have any chance of sustained positive effects.  A purple border denotes areas of "sustained" levels of crisis in Phase 3, 4, or 5 for greater than three years (though an arbitrary threshold, it is inclusive of several seasonal cycles).  By hi-lighting these areas, it informs the type of strategic response and draws attention to "forgotten emergencies" for which complacency may have set in.

. Defining Attributes of Crisis Areas.  For each area currently in or at risk of Phase 3, 4, or 5 a call-out box is included with situation specifics.  A symbol key is provided for each defining attribute, including:

-    Key immediate hazards
-    Key underlying causes
-    Estimated magnitude (i.e., the number of people estimated in Phase or at High Risk)
-    Criteria for social targeting
-    Usual Phase prior to current (which allows for distinction between chronic and transitory food insecurity)
-    Projected trend
-    Overall confidence level of analysis (which is an overall, heuristic statement on the confidence of the analysis as assessed by the analyst)

The key is generic, whereas the call-out boxes contain the specific attributes relevant to that crisis area.  The attributes currently include those which have relevance to various places in Somalia. However, this can easily be expanded to suit a wider array of situations.


On May 11, 2006 FSAU released a Technical Series Report No IV.11 (Intergrated Food Security Phase Classification:Technical Manual Version I) that comprehensively describes the concepts, technical details, and practice of using the IPC. We welcome feedback on this and other tools.
Click this link to downlaod the IPC Tecnical Manual (.pdf 1,713 KB)