Response Analysis in Food Security Crises: A “Road Map”

Dan Maxwell
HPN Presentation
February 25 2013
 Examining the Response Analysis Question

2004: Levine and Chastre et al. “Missing the Point”

Since ~2005:
• Major efforts to improve food security analysis
• Many new response options in food security
emergencies and chronic vulnerability
Research question:
Is improved analysis driving response choice?
 Changing Donor Resources

Humanitarian food aid 2001–2011, by source (MT)

7000000

6000000

5000000

4000000
Triangular Purchase
Local Purchase
3000000
Direct Transfer

2000000

1000000

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Source: WFP-FAIS
 Changing Donor Resources

U.S. International Emergency Food Assistance Funding by

Program Type, FY2005-2011

$2,500,000.00

$2,000,000.00 OFDA (Agriculture and

Food Security)
PRM (LRP)
$1,500,000.00
EFSP (Cash, Vouchers,
LRP)
$1,000,000.00 LRP Project (USDA)

In-Kind (Title II)

$500,000.00

$0.00
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
 What is Response Analysis?

• “Link between situational analysis and program design” (IPC)

• “The analytical process by which the objectives and modality
of program response options are determined, and potentially
harmful consequences are Conceptual Overview
minimized” (Study Team definition)
Situation Analysis Response Analysis Response Planning Response
Implementation
Current Projected

Potential
response
Response
Options
options
Identification
selection

Monitoring/
Situating Response Analysis Evaluation
(FAO 2011)
 Factors Shaping Response Choice

• Situational analysis Internal context

• Needs assessments • Organizational considerations
• Causal analysis • Mandate and mission
• Projection/forecast • Objectives in field
• Capacity and skill set
Feasibility analysis Appropriateness considerations
• Market assessment • Internal comparison of response options
• Donor resources • External analysis of gaps in response
• Organizational capacity • Risk assessment/prevention of
• Partner agency capacity unintended consequences
• Government policy • Market distortion risks
• Access and security • Staff security and safety
• Timeliness • Recipient community security
• Record of past programs • Risk of theft, diversion, or corruption
• M&E records/ Lessons learned • Reputational/legal risks to agency
• Logistics • Do no harm analysis
• Cost of compliance • Cost effectiveness
• Influence of large agencies • Assessment of recipient preferences
• Conditionality/targeting considerations • Evidence of post-distribution dynamics
Response Analysis: The “Road Map”
 Factors shaping response choice:
Importance and influence of evidence
Response Analysis Tools
1st Order Response Options:
ACF Decision Tree
WFP RA Decision Tree
Assessment Tools
GFD/Market-based (cash,
voucher, etc.)
EMMA*
WFP Market Analysis*
S-C-P *
MIFIRA*
SC Risk Assessment*
GPR on Cash Programs
ECHO Decision Tree
ACF Decision Tree
WFP Decision Tree
ICRC Guidelines &
Decision Tree
Supplementary/ Therapeutic
WHO GAM Cut-Offs*
FAQR Decision Trees
Conditionality/Targeting
Which tools help in GPR on Cash Programs
ECHO Decision Tree
which decisions? WFP Guidelines for
Targeting
Tufts Guidelines for
Targeting
Situation Analysis
ICRC Guidelines for Cash Trans.
Food/Nutrition Products
FAQR Decision Trees,
WFP Decision Tree for
Nutrition Products
Response Analysis
Overall RA Process
RAF (FAO)
RAP (WFP)
Oxfam RA Guide
Program
Design
Cross Cutting
Livelihoods assistance/resilience/ Considerations
protection Benefit-Harm-Analysis
LEGS (PRIM)* Do No Harm
Seed Security System Assessment* TI Corruption
* Includes data collection/assessment
 Response Analysis: Next Steps

So what?
Can determination of responses in emergencies/
transitions/ chronic vulnerability become more evidence-
based?

More work with agencies and donors required

Question still remains:

Has the investment in improved analysis and the broader
range of response options led to improved program
response in diverse operating environments?

(Are programs still “missing the point?” )

 Thanks!

Time for a few questions?

Daniel Maxwell
Daniel.Maxwell@tufts.edu