Classifying Food Insecurity Using FEWS NET Matrix Analysis: Assessing the Need for Humanitarian Food Assistance

The overarching goal of the current research is to test the hypothesis that investments in resilience programming reduces the need for humanitarian food assistance (HFA) in vulnerable populations. In order to develop and test an analytical model for measuring the extent to which resilience programming reduces the need for HFA in the face of shocks and stressors, a series of steps are required. Conducted sequentially, this research involves two key objectives:

1. Exploring the applicability of using different food security indicators in Famine Early Warning Systems Network's (FEWS NET) Matrix Analysis approach as a means for measuring the need for HFA at the household level; and
2. Exploring various analytical models to identify a theoretically optimal approach for measuring the extent to which resilience programming reduces the need for HFA in the face of shocks.

This is the first of two technical reports that collectively address these research objectives. See findings related to the second objective