Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET)
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Primary Implementing Partner: Chemonics International Inc
Other Implementing Partners: Evidence for Development (EfD), Action Against Hunger-UK (ACF), and Overseas Strategic Consulting, Ltd. (OSC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Kimetrica
Regions of Operation: Nationwide
Goal:
Provide timely and rigorous early warning and vulnerability information on emerging and evolving food security issues.
Description:
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) is a USAID-funded activity that collaborates with international, regional, and national partners to provide timely and rigorous early warning and vulnerability information on emerging and evolving food security issues. Currently in its third phase, the most recent contract started on December 29, 2011. FEWS NET professionals in the Africa, Central America, Haiti, Afghanistan, and the United States monitor and analyze relevant data and information in terms of its impacts on livelihoods and markets to identify potential threats to food security.
Once these issues are identified, FEWS NET uses a suite of communications and decision support products to help decision-makers act to mitigate food insecurity. These products include monthly food security updates for 25 countries, regular food security outlooks, and alerts, as well as briefings and support to contingency and response planning efforts. More in-depth studies in areas such as livelihoods and markets provide additional information to support analysis as well as program and policy development.
FEWS NET also focuses its efforts on strengthening early warning and food security networks. Activities in this area include developing capacity, building and strengthening networks, developing policy-useful information, and building consensus around food security problems and solutions.
