STRATEGIES, METHODS AND TOOLS

Vulnerability assessment and mapping uses a variety of information sources and analytical methods which feeds directly into the WFP decision-making process: data, maps, assessments of food security and vulnerability.

VAM assessments and maps are only the final expression of a longer and systematic process of data collection and analysis.
This relies on a variety of information sources:

• satellite images showing agro-climatic conditions
  
  
• secondary data on education, health & nutrition status
  
  
• market prices
  
  
• face-to-face discussions with members of food insecure communities
  
  
• household coping behaviours, such as selling off livestock or jewellery to buy food

This information gathering and analysis is geared to helping the WFP decision-making process, and reducing the incidence and severity of food insecurity and vulnerability to hunger.

While specifically designed to help WFP make key programming decisions, VAM products also support the complementary information needs of the international community.