WFC 1.11 Food insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)

This indicator measures the proportion of households experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity, as defined by the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Moderate food insecurity means households are uncertain about their ability to access enough food, while severe food insecurity indicates they have reduced food consumption or experienced hunger. 

• Gender 

• Age  

• Left behind/vulnerable population group  

Individuals answer the survey on behalf of their household. The survey is conducted with a sample of the target population, this can for instance be a community (e.g. community-based agriculture initiatives), a geographic area (e.g. catchment area for campaigns), or specific households that participate in project activities (e.g. training) (primary stakeholders).    

At least Baseline and Endline.  

At minimum, the project should include the following: 
Baseline Survey: Conducted at the start of the project using the FIES to gather initial data. 
Endline Survey: Conducted after the implementation but before the project concludes using the FIES to ensure consistent comparison with baseline data. 

Midline Surveys (if feasible): To strengthen monitoring and make informed adjustments during the project, consider conducting additional surveys (midline or annually). These additional data points allow for early identification of challenges and ensure timely corrective actions to keep the project on track. 

In most cases, use the 12-month reference period (assuming there is more than 12 months between baseline and midline/endline), however, if the survey is being applied to identify risk factors and consequences of food insecurity rather than for population monitoring, for instance in humanitarian settings, a 30-day reference period is preferred.

The survey should be conducted using face-to-face interviews or computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) to ensure accuracy and comprehension of the FIES questions. For areas where in-person surveys are not feasible, mobile phone or online surveys can be used. 

If not all targeted household can be included in the survey, use stratified random sampling should be used to ensure representation of different socio-economic and geographic groups. 

Challenge: Incomplete survey coverage in hard-to-reach areas. 

Solution: Use mobile or online surveys and partner with local organizations for broader data collection. 

SDC: 
AFS_TRI_1 Percentage of food insecurity measured in the area (district, region, country) corresponding to SDC’s interventions (similar to SDG indicator 2.1.2 Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES))
 
Note that SDC does not ask for the measure based on a household surveyed administered by the project/program, instead they require: "For this TRI, please use the data of food insecurity in the intervention area of SDC’s programs and projects which can be either at district, region or country level."  

FAO 

SDG 2.1.2  Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)                                                                   

• WFC 1.12 (earlier FAN 314) Proportion of people who report a minimum dietary diversity score (≥5 food groups women 15-49 years last 24 hrs)

• HUM 001 Number of people enabled to cover most pressing emergency basic needs by cash or in-kind assistance

• FAN 1.2.1 Number of smallholders capacitated in sustainable production, processing, and/or trade practices

• FAN 1.2.3 Number of civil society, public or private actors supported to apply environmental, social and climate safeguards in selected landscapes and/or food systems

• FAN 1.2.4 Number of initiatives established or supported to strengthen policies, norms, standards to foster agroecology, climate resilience and biodiversity in selected landscapes and/or food systems