IPC promotes accountable famine classification, and thus specific protocols have been adopted to ensure the technical rigour, neutrality and quality of analysis. While IPC Famine classifications follow all regular IPC protocols, special protocols also need to be observed in all four Functions, as detailed below.
As a best practice, a national IPC Technical Working Group that foresees the possibility that its upcoming or ongoing IPC analysis might result in a classification of Famine or Famine Likely is strongly encouraged to consult the IPC Global Support Unit to clarify the way forward in terms of support and the review process.
While this section provides an overview of the special protocols for Famine and Famine Likely classifications, more detailed guidance is included in IPC Resources.
Notes:
A Famine Review is mandatory for any Famine classification (Famine or Famine Likely). The Review focuses on assessing the plausibility of Famine classification so that the classification can be validated or disproved, and includes two main activities:
Famine Reviews are mandatory for both IPC products and IPC compatible products and are to be conducted before the release of findings. These Reviews are activated by the Global Support Unit based on a request from the Technical Working Group or, in case of a breakdown in the technical consensus relating to a (potential) Famine classification, by IPC partner(s) or by the Global Support Unit, based on the evidence available. The Famine Review conclusions and recommendations are communicated by the Global Support Unit to the country Technical Working Group members and shared with the IPC Global Steering Committee. The Famine Review Committee report is made publicly available on the IPC website together with the IPC country report.