[cid:image001.png@01CD9BE8.C1B70F10] How to participate To join this consultation please go to www.fao.org/fsnforum/fsin<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/fsin> For assistance please contact the FSN Forum Team at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> The consultation page is also available in French<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/fsin/fr> and Spanish<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/fsin/es> and we welcome contributions in these languages. This consultation is hosted by the [cid:image002.png@01CD9BE8.C1B70F10]<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/> Digest 5 Topic 2 - What are the information gaps and related capacity gaps? Dear participants, I would like to thank you all again for your participation in this online stakeholder consultation, especially those of you who have posted comments. Your comments were again very useful and provided some interesting insights. Below you will find a short synthesis of the contributions received on this topic 2 - What are the information gaps and related capacity gaps? A number of information gaps and related capacity development needs were identified. They have been grouped under a few headings, although many of the issues raised go beyond the headings under which they are classified. Data collection, storage and access Rutachokozibwa mentioned gaps in the collection, storage and access to data. Once data are collected there are often failures and/or delays to transfer these from the source to higher levels of aggregation. This results in gaps in data availability and loss of detail, which in turn hampers analysis, and subsequently doesn’t allow for targeted decision making. He calls for the development of standardized tools and instruments for data collection, and technical and financial support to facilitate collection and transfer of data. He believes that technologies such as GPS, PDAs and SMSs, and training in their use could improve data collection and reduce delays. He also notes that sometimes formalities to access data are too bureaucratic, making it difficult to access data in time. He calls to support countries and institutions to develop protocols for sharing data and information. Amegbeto, reporting on 4 West African countries, notes that at the peak of food crises, decision makers need frequent food price information. Currently, food price data, where available are monthly averages, so collection of weekly or bi-weekly food price data should be considered. He also reports that data quality cannot be ascertained in some cases, and calls for strengthening capacities for data collection. Eilerts notes that governments, donors and the food security assessment community rely mostly on indirect measures of household food security, which are far from perfect. He suggests using the new generation of short household surveys, new methods of communicating with households, and increase cooperation between different parties to directly measure food insecurity in a community or household. Analysis Darith puts special emphasis on the need to strengthen skills to analyze food security related data and information within Cambodia’s Food Security and Nutrition Data Analysis Team. Rutachokozibwa notes that in some cases raw data are reported, without analysis in support of decision making for planning and development. There is also a tendency to use narrow analytical frameworks, for instance using only a few indicators on food availability, and ignoring food access, food utilization/nutrition and stability. In addition, analysts often don’t practice an integrated multi-sectoral approach, which is needed to analyze vulnerability to food and nutrition insecurity. Therefore strengthening of multi-sectoral institutional analysis capacities is needed, and analytical tools need to be provided. He also notes that methodologies for data collection and analysis for urban settings are not well developed, and analysts lack knowledge on this. Communication, coordination and decision making Rutachokozibwa says that food and nutrition security reports should respond to the needs of decision makers. However, reports provide too detailed descriptions and fail to provide conclusions that inform decision making. Therefore communication and presentation skills need to be developed to facilitate the production of information products that are tailored to their audience. Darith reports weak communication between decision makers and technical people, and also between the national level and sub-national levels. He also notes limited coordination between the different food security related information systems and initiatives. He lists a number of actions the Cambodian government has undertaken to fill these gaps, including the establishment of coordination mechanisms to facilitate coordination between government institutions, development agencies and NGO’s. Amegbeto argues that food security information is not systematically associated with actions. For instance policy monitoring could facilitate documentation of best practices, which in turn can be used for replication and advocacy of successful actions. He also reports a lack of institutional capacity in food security governance, which is crucial for effective management of information systems. Besides, in order to find the right balance between politics and the effective use of food security information, with timely responses to emerging food insecurity and nutrition crises, the capacities of decision makers need to be strengthened. Eilerts seeks to harness the desire and ability for multiple parties to work together efficiently, to improve food security information. General issues Amegbeto notes that often it looks like financial and development agencies are in the driving seat with respect to generating/using food and nutrition security information to satisfy their own information needs, and national governments take a back seat. In Africa, except for few exceptions, national engagement is low and insufficient. Therefore human capacities need to be developed, and funding needs to be levered that ensures sustainability. He also says that as national systems struggle to sustain their own activities, their contributions to regional networks remains weak. In addition, regional networks lack finances and capacities to sustain their activities, and support decision making at the regional level. Finally, he notes weak means of operation (internet, IT equipment and others). Darith notes there is a need to further strengthen the existing systems and structure in Cambodia, and to develop the capacities of the key actors. Rutachokozibwa states that overall, there is a need for establishing standard guidelines and protocols to collect, process, analyze, interpret, write and communicate demand-driven food and nutrition security information/reports. Thijs Wissink, Facilitator Contributions received Vedasto Rutachokozibwa from FAO in Tanzania describes gaps related to data capturing, data analysis and communication of information on food and nutrition security. He concludes his statement by saying that there is need for establishing standard guidelines and protocols to collect, process, analyze, interpret, write and communicate demand-driven food and nutrition security information/reports. Koffi N. Amegbeto, from FAO in Ghana describes a number of information gaps and capacity gaps. These relate to the link between information and action, frequency of food price information, food security governance, the role of government vs. the role of development agencies, balancing of politics and information by decision makers, and the link between national and regional networks. All contributions received are available online<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/fsin> and in the proceedings<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/fsin/sites/fsin/files/file/FSIN%20docs/PROCEEDINGS%20FSIN.doc>. Contribution by Vedasto Rutachokozibwa My contribution to this topic is on gaps related to data capturing, data analysis and communication of information on food and nutrition security. Data capturing gaps: This constitutes a) weak data management processes in the collection, keeping/storage and access at national and sub-national levels; b) lack of standardized tools and instruments for collecting quantitative data (volume/weight), in particular but also in qualitative data. In other instances, formalities to access data and information (the so called official data) are too bureaucratic and cumbersome, making it difficult to access data timely. These circumstances lead to incomplete datasets to support rigorous data capturing and analysis. Furthermore, methodologies for capturing data and analysis for urban food and nutrition security situations are not well developed and known by many analysts. In addition, even for those captured data, there is often failure and/or delays to systematically transfer them from source to higher levels; and associated with data aggregation at each higher level (may be due to high transportation costs or other logistical problems), create gaps in data availability for analysis at the time when required. Consequently, there is loss of useful details required for a detailed geographic understanding. This may affect making appropriate intervention decisions where needed. Improved technologies such GPS, PDAs SMSs as well as training in their use, would improve data collection and reduce delays. There is need for 1) developing standardized data collection tools and instruments for data collection; 2) support countries, institutions to develop protocols for sharing data and information; and 3) provide additional technical and financial support to facilitate the collection and transfer of data from sources for analysis. Data Analysis gaps: In some instances, data are collected and reported raw with no analytical value addition to support decision making for planning and development. In addition, there is tendency for using a narrow analytical framework focusing on, for example, a few indicators such as food availability, and even so, focusing on key staples and ignoring significant other source such as indigenous foods and minor crops, livestock and fisheries products, issues of food access (including income sources, consumer price indices, and purchasing power), utilization-nutrition (key actions or intervention on nutrition), and stability (livelihood systems). Furthermore, addressing vulnerability to food insecurity and malnutrition requires an integrated multi-sectoral approach, which most analysts do not often consider; or sometimes they are forced to ignore it in order to service their institutional mandates, demand and/ or results. There is need for strengthening multi-sectoral institutional analysis capacities in terms of skill development and provision of analytical tools such as those from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Information communication gaps: The purpose of generating food and nutrition security reports is for meeting the needs of decision makers to respond appropriately. Often, reports generated provide exceedingly detailed descriptions and normative/academic related information and fail to provide relevant conclusions to inform decision making. There is need for developing communication and presentation skills to facilitate production of audience-tailor information. Overall, there is need for establishing standard guidelines and protocols to collect, process, analyze, interpret, write and communicate demand-driven food and nutrition security information/reports. Contribution by Koffi N. Amegbeto Dear Moderator, This contribution is based on a recent evaluation in four West African countries but may be valid in other countries in Africa. Information gap: · I concur with a previous contributor (Mr. Gary Eilerts) about reliance on indirect measures of food insecurity. · Food security information where it is being collected is not systematically associated with actions, for example, policy monitoring to document the lack of it or changes in orientation. Yet, this joint monitoring facilitate documentation of best practices, lessons learned which could be shared in similar situations, evaluated for possible replication elsewhere or used for advocacy. · Food price data, where available is monthly averages and there is a need to verify if value would be added to say, weekly or bi-weekly information. At the peak of food crises decision makers need a high frequency information than monthly. Capacities: · Lack of institutional capacity in food security governance which is critical for an effective management of information systems (and their networks) as a mean for appropriate and timely decision making. · Need to strengthening capacities to sustain information collection, dissemination and use at national and regional levels. In many cases, the national government seems to take the back stage on these aspects and at times, it appears as if it is the financial and development partners who need such information and therefore, are in the driving seat with respect to generating /using such information. · Except few exceptions in Africa, national engagement in the effort is low and insufficient, as a result, human capacities need to be improved (qualitatively and or quantitatively), and financial resources to be levered for continuity and sustainability. Data quality cannot be ascertained in some cases. · Needed capacity for decision makers to make the right balance between politics and effective use FSI that would lead to timely response to any emerging food insecurity and nutrition crises. Poor or inadequate means of operation: internet connectivity /infrastructure, IT equipment, and other required tools. As the national systems have difficulties in sustaining their activities, their contributions to regional networks is either nonexistent, weak or ineffective. Regional networks do not have an efficient financial mechanism or capacity to sustain their activities and support decision making at regional level, for example with the Regional Economic Communities. Many thanks. Regards, Koffi N. Amegbeto Food Systems Economist FAORAF, P.O. 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