a. Definition of acute food insecurity and an analytical focus: According to the IPC, acute food insecurity refers to food deprivation that threatens lives or livelihoods, regardless of the causes, context or duration. The IPC Acute Food Insecurity classification focuses on identifying the needs for urgent action to decrease food gaps and protect and save lives and livelihoods. See Box 15 for a list of all analytical parameters.
b. Informing action with short-term strategic objectives: The Acute Food Insecurity classification primarily informs action that has measurable results immediately or within a one-year time period. Ideally, these should be linked to action with medium- and longer-term objectives. The IPC Chronic Food Insecurity classification focuses on identifying the need for these longer-term interventions.
c. Five severity phases: IPC classifies severity of Acute Food Insecurity into five severity phases: (1) None/Minimal; (2) Stressed; (3) Crisis; (4) Emergency; and (5) Catastrophe/Famine.
d. Convergence of evidence: The IPC approach draws upon data and information from a wide range of sources to classify and distribute the population of households into the five phases of Acute Food Insecurity. The IPC approach relies on building consensus among a team of multisectoral experts who are brought together to evaluate and discuss evidence systematically. Convergence of evidence uses the IPC Analytical Framework with a livelihood-based lens supported by indicators directly measuring food security outcomes as well as contributing factors to estimate the proportion of households in each phase. Although convergence of evidence calls for all evidence to be assessed, only evidence that is relevant to acute food insecurity and of a minimum reliability should be used for classification. Evidence on malnutrition and mortality are only considered to the extent that they are driven by food gaps and livelihood changes due to limited access to food. Therefore, nutrition and mortality are considered to support food insecurity classification but not to drive the classification. Evidence that is less than somewhat reliable may only be used to contextualize and explain findings during the convergence of evidence.
e. The 20 percent rule for area classification: An area is classified according to a specific IPC phase when at least 20 percent of the population in the area are experiencing the conditions related to that phase or more severe phases. Ideally, the distribution of affected populations across Phases 1 to 5 should be provided, as each phase is linked to different severity and calls for different action. Whenever it is not possible to provide detailed population estimates, some form of aggregated numbers that respect IPC protocols should be provided.
f. Unit(s) of analysis: There are two key approaches to classification, which can be used independently or together in support of each other:
g. Snapshot in time with validity period: The severity classification is a snapshot of food insecurity that is either: (i) currently occurring (thereby referring to the current analysis period); or (ii) projected in the future within a specified timeframe (referring to analysis projections). Classification is a real-time statement and has a validity period during which the situation is not expected to change. Time validity of the classification can refer to short or long periods, depending on the stability of the situation and the needs of decision-makers, and thus it can range from a period of a few weeks to up to a year. If the situation changes during the validity period of the analysis, an update or a new analysis may be required.
h. Incorporating humanitarian assistance: The current snapshot is based on actual conditions, without removing effects of any humanitarian assistance. The future projection includes anticipated effects of humanitarian assistance which is regularly programmed/inter-annual, and any ad hoc assistance which is planned and likely to be funded and delivered in the projection period. Newly appealed for assistance is not included in the projected classification. Current population tables identify those currently found in different severity phases. A population in Phase 3+ does not necessarily reflect the full population in need of urgent action to decrease food gaps and protect and save lives and livelihoods. This is because some households may be in Phase 2 or even 1 but only because of receipt of assistance, and as a result they may be in need of continued action. As such, the population in Phase 3 or more severe may or may not be the same as the number of people in need of urgent action. Decision-makers should be informed that estimations refer to numbers in need of action further to the action already taken. The IPC Technical Manual Version 3.0 does not provide protocols to generate population estimates without the effects of humanitarian assistance which is necessary to estimate total population in need of assistance. The IPC partnership acknowledges that this analysis is also important and is committed to exploring with relevant stakeholders how this analysis can be conducted.
i. Current classifications: These are based on actual conditions prevalent at the time of analysis, regardless of causes, context and duration. Analysis should consider the following:
j. Projection classifications: These are based on the most likely expected situation in the future and should consider the following
k. The identification of areas that received or will likely receive significant humanitarian food assistance: This should be carried out after phase classifications and consider the following:
l. Identification of key drivers and most affected populations: IPC Acute Food Insecurity analysis provides tools that can be used for a basic analysis of key drivers and limiting factors as per the IPC Food Insecurity Analytical Framework. Limiting factors of food insecurity are analysed by identifying which combination of factors related to availability, access, utilization and stability prevent people from being food-secure. By identifying key shocks and vulnerabilities affecting current conditions, analysts are also able to indicate the likely key drivers of acute food insecurity and, to the extent possible, the most affected populations.