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Famine Review Committee
IPC scale
Notable applications

Ethiopia
Sudan
Congo
Gaza Strip
Somalia
Yemen
Key challenges and limitations
See also
References
External links
Integrated Food Security Phase Classification

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), also known as IPC scale,
is a tool for improving food security analysis and decision-making. It is a
standardised scale that integrates food security, nutrition and livelihood
information into a statement about the nature and severity of a crisis and
implications for strategic response.[1]

The IPC was originally developed in 2004 for use in Somalia by the United Nations
Food and Agriculture Organization's Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU).[2] Several
national governments and international agencies, including CARE International,
European Commission Joint Research Centre (EC JRC), Food and Agricultural
Organization of the United Nations (FAO), USAID/FEWS NET, Oxfam GB, Save the
Children UK/US, and United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), have been working
together to adapt it to other food security contexts.[1][3][4]

Famine Review Committee

The work of the IPC's Famine Review Committee is funded by development aid programs
from the EU, the UK, Canada, and Germany.[5] The Famine Review Committee is
composed of international experts who are not affiliated with national governments
or local political interests. Its mandate is to conduct analyses based solely on
technical and scientific criteria.[6]

IPC scale
The following table includes a summary of the IPC scale:[1][4]

IPC Phase number Phase Description Crude death rate (per 10,000 people per day)
1 Generally Food Secure More than 80% of households can meet basic food needs
without atypical coping strategies <0.5
2 Borderline Food Insecure For at least 20 percent of households, food
consumption is reduced but minimally adequate without having to engage in
irreversible coping strategies. These households cannot fully meet livelihoods
protection needs. <0.5
3 Acute Food and Livelihood Crisis At least 20 percent of households have
significant food consumption gaps OR are marginally able to meet minimum food needs
only with irreversible coping strategies such as liquidating livelihood assets.
Levels of acute malnutrition are high and above normal. 0.5–0.99
4 Humanitarian Emergency At least 20 percent of households face extreme food
consumption gaps, resulting in very high levels of acute malnutrition and excess
mortality; OR households face an extreme loss of livelihood assets that will likely
lead to food consumption gaps. 1–1.99
5 Famine/Humanitarian Catastrophe At least 20 percent of households face a
complete lack of food and/or other basic needs and starvation, death, and
destitution are evident; and acute malnutrition prevalence exceeds 30%; and
mortality rates exceed 2/10000/day >2
Notable applications
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has been used in several
countries to assess and respond to food insecurity, each presenting unique
challenges and responses.

Ethiopia
Main article: Famine in northern Ethiopia (2020–present)
In Ethiopia, the 2021 IPC analysis highlighted a severe food insecurity crisis,
with over 5.5 million people in Tigray, Amhara, and Afar facing high levels of
acute food insecurity due to conflict, displacement, and disrupted markets. As of
May 2021, approximately 3.1 million were in Crisis (IPC Phase 3), 2.1 million were
in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and 353,000 were experiencing Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5).
[7]

Sudan
Main article: Famine in Sudan (2024–present)
In Sudan, the April–May 2024 IPC analysis indicated severe food insecurity, with
25.6 million people facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse. A total of 8.5 million
are facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4), and 755,000 people Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5).
Key factors include ongoing conflict and limited humanitarian access, particularly
in Greater Darfur and Kordofan regions. The analysis warns of possible famine if
conditions deteriorate, particularly for displaced populations and refugees in
conflict-affected areas.[8]

Congo
The July–December 2024 IPC analysis for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
indicates severe food insecurity affecting 25.6 million people, categorized as
Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse. Among them, 3.1 million face Emergency (IPC Phase 4)
conditions, particularly in conflict-impacted provinces like North Kivu, Ituri, and
South Kivu. Projected conditions from January to June 2025 suggest similar
challenges due to ongoing armed conflict, economic instability, and high food
prices. Displaced populations remain especially vulnerable.[9]

Gaza Strip
Main article: Gaza Strip famine
The IPC scale has been used to monitor the humanitarian crisis in Gaza since the
beginning of the Gaza war in October 2023. According to the impact snapshot
published on 30 July 2025 by the UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA), 100% of the population is projected to face acute levels of food
insecurity classified in IPC Phase 3 or above, including one million facing Phase 4
and 470,000 facing Phase 5.[10] This is significantly worsened since the September–
October 2024 IPC report, when 1.84 million people were facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3)
or worse conditions, but only 6 percent of Gazans face IPC Phase 5 food insecurity,
which was the lowest figure reported since the start of the famine.[11] Israel
placed Gaza under total siege during March and April 2025, and was forced to allow
in minimal food under increasing pressure from the international community, but
mass starvation continues to worsen.[12] Famine was confirmed and projected to
expand by IPC as of 15 August 2025 with a third of the population expected to face
IPC Phase 5 famine, 58 percent facing IPC Phase 4 emergency, and 20 percent facing
IPC Phase 3 crisis.[13] It is the first time that the IPC has recorded a famine
outside of Africa.[14]

Somalia
As of July–September 2024, an estimated 4.4 million people in Somalia are
experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), with
around 1.6 million children likely to suffer from acute malnutrition. While recent
rainfall improved agricultural conditions, localized floods and ongoing conflict
still hinder food access and agricultural production. Despite these challenges,
there is a slight improvement from the previous year. The IPC's projections for
October–December 2024 suggest ongoing needs for humanitarian assistance,
particularly for vulnerable populations in crisis and emergency phase.[15]

Yemen
Main article: Famine in Yemen (2016–present)
The latest IPC analysis for Yemen, covering July 2024 to February 2025, highlights
severe food insecurity affecting nearly half of the population in government-
controlled areas. From July to September 2024, about 4.7 million people faced
Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels of food insecurity. The
economic decline, persistent conflict, and irregular humanitarian aid remain key
drivers of food insecurity, worsened by recent floods in August 2024. A marginal
improvement is anticipated, but humanitarian aid is crucial to prevent further
deterioration.[16]

Key challenges and limitations

The challenges of the IPC scale include data quality issues, particularly in
conflict zones or areas with limited access for data collection. This often leads
to reliance on available but sometimes unreliable data. There are also challenges
with subjective interpretation, as expert judgment is required in cases where data
is sparse or inconsistent. Furthermore, the IPC's reliance on evidence convergence
means that contradictory data can arise, complicating consensus-building and
analysis.[17]

See also
Famine scales
Global Acute Malnutrition
References
"Protocol 2.2: Compare evidence against the IPC Acute Food Insecurity Reference
Table". IPC Global Platform. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
"IPC Overview and Classification System". IPC.
"IPC Participating Organizations and Donors". Integrated Food Security Phase
Classification (IPC). April 2011. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011.
Retrieved 24 July 2011.
"IPC Manual 3.1". www.ipcinfo.org. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
FAMINE REVIEW COMMITTEE: GAZA STRIP, AUGUST 2025 (PDF) (Report). p. 2.
"FAQs – Integrated Food Security Phase Classification". Integrated Food Security
Phase Classification. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
"Ethiopia: Acute Food Insecurity Situation May – June 2021 and Projection for July
– September 2021". www.ipcinfo.org. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
"Sudan: Acute Food Insecurity Situation for April – May 2024 and Projections for
June – September 2024 and October 2024 – February 2025". www.ipcinfo.org. Retrieved
16 November 2024.
"Democratic Republic of the Congo: Acute Food Insecurity Situation for July –
December 2024 and Projection for January – June 2025". www.ipcinfo.org. Retrieved
16 November 2024.
"Reported impact snapshot | Gaza Strip (30 July 2025)". United Nations Office for
the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs – Occupied Palestinian Territory. 30 July
2025. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
"Gaza Strip: Acute Food Insecurity Situation for September – October 2024 and
Projection for November 2024 – April 2025". www.ipcinfo.org. Retrieved 16 November
2024.
Graham-Harrison, Emma (31 July 2025). "The mathematics of starvation: how Israel
caused a famine in Gaza". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
"GAZA STRIP: Famine confirmed in Gaza Governorate, projected to expand".
www.ipcinfo.org. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
"World reacts as UN-backed body declares famine in Gaza". Retrieved 23 August
2025.
"Somalia: Acute Food Insecurity Situation July to September 2024 and Projection
October to December 2024". www.ipcinfo.org. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
"Yemen: Acute Food Insecurity Situation for July – September 2024 and Projection
for October 2024 – February 2025 (partial analysis)". www.ipcinfo.org. Retrieved 16
November 2024.
"Key challenges and limitations". IPC Global Platform. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
External links
Website of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification
Integrated Food Security and Humanitarian Phase Classification: Technical Manual
(Version 3.1)
Categories: Food securityClassification systems by subject
This page was last edited on 30 August 2025, at 00:55 (UTC).
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