Food security remains a critical concern in West Africa and the Sahel, due to the combined effects of population growth and its low resilience to the effects of climate variability and climate change. In this context, CILSS has developed a number of tools for a better understanding of the dynamics of the food and nutrition situation, in order to inform and assist decision-making.

The preparation of the next round of Cadre Harmonisé analyses is ongoing. CH is also expected to be introduced in four new countries which are now affected by Ebola outbreak: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea Bissau and Benin. This would bring to a  total of 16 countries that will be holding analysis workshops in a timeframe that varies from early October to November, depending on the country.

As part of the efforts to improve CH tools and procedures, several regional meetings were organized. The first CH Training of Trainers took place in Niamey, Niger, from 18 to 22 August, with the participation of the IPC Regional Coordinator for Francophone countries in East and Central Africa. In particular, the workshop was designed to:

• Strengthen the technical capacity of CILSS experts and partners on the use of the CH Manual;
• Finalize materials to train national experts on the use of the CH Manual;
• Create a pool of national training facilitators;
• Develop a food security analysis plan.

This IPC’s participation in the CH training of trainers was an opportunity for a cross-regional fertilization which increased the understanding of the CH within IPC staff.

IPC in West Africa