China
The Government of China plans to organise an inter-sector national workshop from 25-26 April to promote awareness and co-operation in implementing FIVIMS activities in the country.
Egypt, Jordan and Yemen
A series of joint WFP/VAM - FIVIMS Secretariat missions took place to Egypt, Jordan and Yemen during the period August to December 1999. The objectives of the missions were (i) to provide assistance in the design of a regional and national VAM (Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping) information system, (ii) to assess the state of institutions that make up the national food insecurity and vulnerability information environment in those countries, and to suggest how VAM and the IAWG-FIVIMS framework may relate to, and help improve it. A mission report was prepared for each country. They provide a detailed overview of national food security issues, an inventory of national data and information sources, the description of a possible VAM activity and suggestions for implementation of FIVIMS in each country.
India
In January 2000, two inter-departmental committee meetings were held on the establishment of FIVIMS in India. A comprehensive report on the potential implementation of a national FIVIMS had already been prepared by a national consultant. This report contains an inventory of national food security information and mapping sources, a preliminary identification of food security, health and nutrition indicators, possible institutional arrangements and a proposed stepwise action plan for the development of a national FIVIMS. India is about to begin with the formulation of a pilot FIVIMS project.
Indonesia
Directly following the 4th IAWG meeting in February, the FIVIMS Secretariat undertook a four-days support mission to Jakarta. The main objective was to document Indonesia’s principal integrated food security information system, the food and nutrition surveillance system (known by its Indonesian initials as the SKPG). This system provides information on the food and nutrition situation at district level. The intention is that the information generated be used for improved decision-making in the formulation of food security action programmes. In theory, the objectives and structure of the SKPG correspond very well with those in the IAWG-FIVIMS guidelines. The implementation of the system, however, has not been without problems and the mission suggested several areas in which IAWG-FIVIMS members could provide assistance. Contact the Secretariat for a copy of this report.
Mali
The FAO FIVIMS coordinator spent a week in Bamako in December 1999. Part of this time was spent investigating the opportunities to do FIVIMS start-up work in Mali. Contact was made with key institutions in agriculture, health, food information systems, and the donor community. UNDP in Bamako has expressed interest in funding an initial FIVIMS diagnostic study as part of activities in support of the UN Common Country Assessment (CCA) and Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) planning process.
Papua New Guinea
Funded by AusAID, a FIVIMS project formulation mission to Papua New Guinea was carried out in the first two weeks of November 1999 by a joint team of consultants from FAO and the Australian National University. The mission report, containing the team’s conclusions and a preliminary project document, has recently been finalised. Funds remaining from the original project budget were used to produce a KIMS CD-ROM for Papua New Guinea using national data collected during the mission and obtained from the Australian National University. The CD-rom will be available by April 2000.
Philippines
The National FIVIMS focal Point for the Philippines, the National Nutritional Council (NNC), in collaboration with the FIVIMS Task Force, is currently preparing a Manual of Operations (ManOps), which will serve as a working reference in the implementation of FIVIMS. It will describe in detail the procedures to be used to set up and implement collection, collation, analysis and interpretation of data; generation of reports and maps that identify the areas and people at risk of hunger and malnutrition; feedback to data users; and initiation of appropriate action.
Senegal
In September 1999, an on-going FAO Food Security Information Project in Senegal and the FIVIMS Secretariat jointly organised a two weeks mission to identify a potential technical assistance support effort to the government’s new National Food Security Council. The team, lead by the FAO FIVIMS co-ordinator, proposed that part of the assistance to the Executive Secretariat of this body be the creation of a national FIVIMS co-ordination unit. A $2.5 million, three-year TA project was identified. Work on a complete project design was undertaken in January 2000 by a second FAO team.
Syria
In 1999, the FIVIMS Secretariat received an official request to assist the national World Food Summit Committee in the launching of FIVIMS and the ACC Thematic Group on Rural Development and Food Security. A joint UNDP/FAO high level consultation on the establishment of FIVIMS in Syria took place over the period December 1999 - February 2000. The consultation involved an inventory of national information systems relevant to FIVIMS; a proposal for a new set of food security and vulnerability indicators; a strategy for establishing a national food security and nutrition database; and the drafting of a step-wise action plan for the development of a national FIVIMS.
Thailand
The FAO Regional Office in Bangkok organised a meeting with Thai government representatives to discuss national FIVIMS on 16 February 2000. The main objective was to ascertain the interest of the Government of Thailand in taking concrete FIVIMS activities at national level. Outcomes of the IAWG 4 meeting, such as, effectively utilising the Asia-Pacific Network for Food and Nutrition to operationalize FIVIMS activities in Asia and integration of FIVIMS activities with programmes/initiatives concerning the National Plan of Action for Nutrition (NPAN), were discussed. A demonstration of the Key Indicators Mapping System (KIMS) and the Asia FIVIMS project were provided by visiting personnel from FAO. Meeting participants recognised the necessity of strengthening the linkage between food supply/policy and health/nutrition information systems that are currently operational in Thailand. An inventory of existing data systems was proposed as well as the development of an action plan to integrate those systems into a national FIVIMS network. The national task force will be developing proposals for any assistance that might be needed to help realise these plans.
Turkey
In mid-1999, a two-day brainstorming session was held on the identification of food insecure and vulnerable groups in Turkey. Over 40 experts with diverse backgrounds participated from different government ministries, the State Institute of Statistics, academic and research institutions, NGOs and the private sector. Currently, a draft project proposal is under preparation for the establishment of a national FIVIMS. A one-day follow-up meeting was held in February 2000. In October 2000, a regional workshop for Central Asian countries interested in the establishment or strengthening of national FIVIMS is scheduled to take place in Turkey.
