Summary
• The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is a global effort to develop a common approach to classifying food insecurity. Beginning in April/May 2011, FEWS NET will become IPC compliant by adopting the IPC version 2.0 Household‐based Acute Food Insecurity Reference Table (in Annex) and Phase Scale (Figure 1). IPC Version 2.0 is scheduled for release in July 2011.
• The development of IPC version 2.0 has resolved most of the differences that existed between FEWS NET’s scale and IPC version 1.1.* FEWS NET’s decision to become IPC compliant indicates its strong support for a common, globallycomparable scale for classifying acute food insecurity.
• FEWS NET will make some key changes as a part of this transition to IPC compliance: 1) there are new guidelines for incorporating humanitarian assistance in scenario development and mapping; 2) the classification of acute food insecurity is now population based (as opposed to wealth‐group based); and 3) the labels and colors of the scale have been revised.