A framework for evaluating food security and nutrition monitoring systems

Abstract

Identifying cost and time-efficient approaches to food security and nutrition monitoring programs is fundamental to increasing the utility and sustainability. Food security and nutrition monitoring systems should be periodically evaluated to ensure that their objectives are met, and re-oriented towards the changing information needs for food policy interventions. In meeting these challenges, the role of continued evaluation of food security monitoring systems - for their impact on food security decision-making - cannot be overemphasized. The linkage between the information generated by these systems, planning and policy processes to improve food security remains weak in several sub-Saharan African countries. This paper aims at developing a framework for evaluating food security and nutrition monitoring systems. Among the criteria used for evaluation are the capacity for data processing, analysis and, reporting, timely generation of information, commitment of decision makers and cost-effectiveness. Using this framework, the paper evaluates the National Early Warning System (NEWS) and the Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) programs in Uganda, to gain useful lessons for other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. A majority of food security monitoring systems continues to be based on macro-level information and operated at the national level. Future challenges in addressing household food security will require devolution of the process of food security monitoring and intervention systems to decentralized levels. The authors also find that a sound food security and nutrition monitoring system is simple, user-driven and has the commitment of relevant decision- makers, who will use the information in planning and policy design. The paper stresses that frequent evaluation of the methods and systems of monitoring food security is essential for sustaining the commitment of decisionmakers. Also, ongoing assessments will facilitate existing monitoring systems to develop into ones that encompass the sphere of livelihood security. The use of the livelihood approach in food security monitoring in turn will support preventive and proactive solutions, rather than curative approaches to food insecurity. Keywords : Early warning, food security, nutrition, monitoring, evaluation Il est fondamental d’identifier des couts et des approches rentables permettant de controler la securite alimentaire et la nutrition en vue d’accroitre l’utilite et la viabilite des programmes y relatifs. Les systemes de controle de la securite alimentaire et de la nutrition devraient etre periodiquement evalues afin d’assurer que leurs objectifs sont atteints et reorientes vers les besoins changeants en informations pour des interventions de politique alimentaire. Le lien entre les informations generees par ces systemes et les processus de planification et d’ordre politique pour ameliorer la securite alimentaire demeure faible dans de nombreux pays de l’Afrique subsaharienne. Le present expose met au point un cadre permettant d’evaluer les systemes de controle de la securite alimentaire et de la nutrition. Parmi les criteres utilises dans l’evaluation figurent la capacite de traiter les donnees, l’analyse et la presentation des rapports, la production d’informations a temps, l’engagement des decideurs et la rentabilite. En utilisant ce cadre, cet expose evalue les programmes de « Systeme national d’alerte avancee » et de Systeme national d’alerte rapide en cas de famine » en Ouganda afin d’en tirer des lecons utiles pour d’autres pays de l’Afrique subsaharienne. Les auteurs pensent qu’un systeme fiable de controle de la securite alimentaire et de la nutrition est simple et oriente vers l’utilisateur, et qu’il a l’engagement des decideurs concernes qui utiliseront ces informations lors de la planification et la conception de la politique sectorielle. Cet expose souligne qu’une l’evaluation frequente des methodes et des systemes de controle de la securite alimentaire est essentielle pour sous-tendre l’engagement des decideurs. En outre, des evaluations continues faciliteront les systemes de controle qui sont deja en place pour qu’ils deviennent des systemes qui englobent la sphere de la securite du betail. L’utilisation de l’approche relative au betail dans le controle de la securite alimentaire appuiera des solutions preventives et dynamiques plutot que des approches curatives en cas d’insecurite alimentaire. Mots-cles : Alerte rapide, securite alimentaire, nutrition, controle, evaluation