This information note provides summary information on the status of FIVIMS in 120 countries in tabular format. Information on FIVIMS activities ongoing or planned in developed countries and countries in transition are not reported, due to unavailability of information. In subsequent reports, these countries will be included as well. The information in this report comes from the FIVIMS Tracking System, a database maintained by the Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on FIVIMS, located in the Economic and Social Department of FAO. Data in some cases has been provided from FIVIMS focal points at country level and from IAWG members.

The information is grouped by geographical region and presented in four tables:

• Asia and the Pacific
  
  
• Near East and North Africa
  
  
• Latin America and Caribbean (parts I and II)
  
  
• Sub-Saharan Africa (parts I and II)

Two types of information are presented: (i) activities directly related to establishing and institutionalising a national FIVIMS and (ii) closely related programme activities contributing to FIVIMS objectives.

(i) Steps in the Establishment of FIVIMS reported here:

1. Expression of interest and/or request for assistance: Some member states have asked for specific technical assistance in establishing national FIVIMS or FIVIMS-related information systems. Other countries have expressed interest by requesting information products, guidelines and/or by starting up activities in the context of FIVIMS.

2. Nomination of focal point: Sixty-nine developing countries have designated national focal points for FIVIMS.

3. Identification and characterisation of food insecure and vulnerable groups: FIVIMS provides information on and monitors food insecure and vulnerable groups. Therefore, the identification and characterisation of food insecure and vulnerable groups is a first step in designing a national FIVIMS. So far this has been done in sixteen developing countries through vulnerability brainstorming workshops. Another ten countries have started this process, using other assessment methods.

4. Creation of national FIVIMS network/task force: Twenty-nine countries have provided information on the institutional arrangement in place (such as a FIVIMS network) or planned for implementing FIVIMS activities.

5. Review and assessment of existing information systems: Information systems that may contribute to a national FIVIMS have been evaluated in 25 countries in some detail, using the criteria listed in paragraph 38 of the Guidelines for National FIVIMS: Background and Principles (CFS: 98/5).

6. Preparation of stepwise action plan for implementing FIVIMS: Thirteen countries have prepared in more or less detail a national strategy and work plan for implementing FIVIMS. The development of FIVIMS has received active support from the Asia and Pacific Network for Food and Nutrition (APNFN) and the Red de Cooperacion Tecnica en Sistemas de Vigilancia Alimentaria y Nutricional (Red SISVAN) in Latin America. Both networks held a meeting in December 1999 at which action plans for establishing national FIVIMS were discussed.

7. Proposal for funding for expanded FIVIMS activities: Several project proposals for FIVIMS activities have been prepared. Among these are FAO-TCP projects and proposals for bi-lateral funding.

8. Integrated national food security information system: An integrated information system uses food security related information from several sectors, for example, agriculture, health, trade, environment etc. to provide a more complete assessment of food security and vulnerability in the country. In total, sixteen countries reported that they have an integrated national information system of some kind in place. Strengthening of these information systems might be necessary in some countries in order for them to meet the FIVIMS requirements.

(ii) FIVIMS Related Programmes:

9. ICN - National plans of action on nutrition: Reports on the national plans of action on nutrition completed in WHO/FAO ICN follow-up. National plans of action on nutrition (NPAN) and FIVIMS both focus on improvement of nutritional status through action programmes. FIVIMS is about providing better information for improved action programmes directed at reducing the number of undernourished and NPANs are action plans focused on the design and implementation of specific activities aimed at reducing malnutrition, especially at community level. The nutrition surveillance systems promoted by the NPANS have a strong overlap with FIVIMS. NPANs are available in draft version (years in italics) in 34 countries and in final version (years in bold) in 59 countries.

10. Nutrition country profile: At this stage, nutrition country profiles provide input into a FIVIMS. Once a FIVIMS is in place, it should be able to easily provide data necessary for compiling the nutrition country profile as well as other food security and vulnerability profiles.

11. ACC thematic group on rural development and food security: At country level FIVIMS is promoted through the ACC thematic group on rural development and food security. In eighteen countries, ACC thematic groups have adopted FIVIMS as a priority for action, mainly in Africa, Asia and the Near East. No ACC thematic group is actively pursuing FIVIMS in Latin America and the Caribbean

12. Vulnerability assessment and mapping: Due to the high relevance of WFP's vulnerability and mapping (VAM) work, it can play a major role in supporting national systems by providing models on vulnerability assessment and by sharing data and information collected. The key countries for WFP/VAM are marked with an #. Other similar programmes sponsored by IAWG FIVIMS members are USAID FEWS and the European Union's RESAL programmes, and the Projet alerte Precoce et Prevision des Productions Agricoles of the Italian Cooperation, in collaboration with CILSS and the WMO. These will be reported on in future years.

Asia and the Pacific

Latin America and Caribbean - part I

Latin America and Caribbean - part II

Near East and North Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa - part I

Sub-Saharan Africa part II