REPORT OF

THE REGIONAL EXPERT CONSULTATION OF

THE ASIA PACIFIC NETWORK FOR FOOD AND NUTRITION

ON THE FOLLOW-UP ON ESTABLISHMENT OF FOOD INSECURITY

AND VULNERABILITY INFORMATION AND MAPPING SYSTEMS (FIVIMS)

Bangkok, Thailand, 21-24 November 2000

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (RAP)

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

BANGKOK, DECEMBER 2000

RAP PUBLICATION : 2000/21

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in thispublication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part ofthe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legalstatus of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning thedelimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

The opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors alone and do notimply any opinion whatsoever on the part of the FAO.

FOR COPIES WRITE TO : Biplab K. NandiSenior Food and Nutrition OfficerFAO Regional Office for Asia and the PacificMaliwan Mansion, 39 Phra Atit Road,Bangkok, 210200, ThailandTel: (66 2) 2817844Fax: (66 2) 2800445Email: Biplab.Nandi@fao.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

I. INTRODUCTION 1

II. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION FROM THE PAPERS PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED

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APPENDICES

Appendix I : List of participants 36

Appendix II : Opening address by R.B. Singh, Assistant Director - Generaland FAO Representative for Asia and the Pacific

46

Appendix IV : Agenda & timetable 51

Appendix V : Country status report on establishment andoperational of FIVIMS

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I. INTRODUCTION

Opening of the consultation

1. The Regional Expert Consultation of the Asia-Pacific Network for Food and

Nutrition (ANFN) on the Follow-up on Establishment of Food Insecurity and

Vulnerability Information and Mapping Systems (FIVIMS) organized by the FAO

Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) was held in Bangkok, Thailand from 21

to 24 November 2000. It was attended by 19 participants from 12 countries namely,

Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the

Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam. Resource persons from the Centre for

Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment (CINE), Montreal, Canada, FAO

Headquarters, Rome, Italy, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Bangkok,

Thailand, Policy Research for Development Alternative (UBINIG), Dhaka, Bangladesh

and DECCAN Development Society (DDS), Hyderabad, India as well as special invitees

from WHO and WFP also participated in the meeting. The names of the participants,

resource persons and special invitees are given in Appendix I.

2. Biplab K. Nandi, Senior Food and Nutrition Officer, FAO (RAP) and Secretary,

ANFN welcomed the participants and guests and requested them to introduce themselves.

He, then, introduced the objectives of the Consultation and emphasized that the annual

meetings of the Consultation on the same subject provided continuity for discussion and

identification of specific courses of action for programmes such as FIVIMS

establishment.

3. The Consultation unanimously elected Shashi P. Gupta (India) and Elsa M.

Bayani (Philippines) as Chair and Co-chair respectively, while Maria Antonia G. Tuazon

(Philippines) and Mirza Altaf Hossain (Bangladesh) were elected as rapporteurs.

4. R.B. Singh, Assistant Director-General (ADG) and FAO Regional Representative

for Asia and the Pacific opened the Consultation and welcomed the participants on behalf

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of the Director-General of FAO and on his own behalf. He congratulated the elected

chairs and expressed deep appreciation to the ANFN Secretariat for a well-thought

agenda for the Consultation. He underscored the importance of Food Insecurity and

Vulnerability Information and Mapping Systems (FIVIMS) as a logical and important

instrument for achieving the goals of the International Conference on Nutrition (ICN) and

the World Food Summit (WFS).

5. He also stressed to the Consultation that FIVIMS as a framework offers enough

flexibility to be undertaken at national and international levels in order to meet the

information requirements of various users. More importantly, the potential contributions

of FIVIMS in improving policy formulation, programme management, design and

targeting of interventions and promoting intersectoral coordination and management

should be recognized, Dr Singh emphasized.

6. Based on the document “State of Food Insecurity (SOFI) in the World, 2000”

which was launched in Thailand during the World Food Day 2000, he informed that Asia

and the Pacific is home to most of the 792 million undernourished population who on

average suffer from a daily energy deficit of 100 to 400 kilocalories. He mentioned that

the countries represented in the Consultation could be categorised according to their

various degrees of depths of hunger ranging from mild to severe. Similarly, the

prevalence of undernourishment among developing countries was unacceptable

especially when national commitments have been made to eradicate hunger and

malnutrition, particularly at the World Food Summit (WFS).

8. The ADG also updated the Consultation on the follow-up actions undertaken

based on the recommendations given during the ANFN Expert Consultation held in Sri

Lanka last year. He expressed satisfaction in FAO Regional Office’s initiative in this

regard.

9. He also commended the ANFN Secretariat for including a relevant topic on

“Traditional Food Resources of Indigenous People in the Region and their Role in

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Providing Food Security.” The Consultation was reminded that such a profound topic

could have valuable impact on achieving food and nutrition security.

10. In closing, addressing the issues concerning food insecurity, he quoted Gabrielle

Mistral in saying “The hungry child can’t wait. It is today that his bones and sinews are

being formed. You can’t tell him tomorrow. His name is today.” He further urged the

Consultation to critically identify the constraints and come up with implementable

recommendations in establishing FIVIMS in the region. The full text of the message is

given in Appendix II.

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II. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PAPERS

PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED

Agenda item 1: Overview on FIVIMS implementation—FAO perspective

11. B.K. Nandi informed the Consultation of the provisional agenda, timetable and

the expected outcomes (Appendix III), which were formally adopted. He also explained

in detail the matters concerning organization of the consultation keeping in view the

various topics of the agenda. Two working group sessions were planned. The timetable

was suitably modified to accommodate a parallel session on “Food Composition” during

the working group sessions in the afternoon of day two. Besides, it was decided that

B.K. Taimni, FAO consultant, India would present the draft TCP prepared for India on

day four.

12. He also updated the Consultation regarding actions taken by FAO (RAP) on the

recommendations forwarded in the consultation held in Sri Lanka. Specifically, FAO

(RAP) had participated in national meetings/workshops in Bangladesh, China, India, and

Thailand concerning the establishment of FIVIMS in these countries. Consultants were

also fielded or missions conducted in India, China, Myanmar, Cambodia and Viet Nam to

provide technical assistance in exploring preparation of the project proposals. It was

mentioned that missions were planned for Lao PDR and Indonesia either in December

2000 or January 2001.

13. Barbara Burlingame, Senior Officer, Nutrition Planning, Assessment and

Evaluation Service, Food and Nutrition Division, FAO Headquarters presented the global

data assessments in the context of FIVIMS. She described global FIVIMS as an

interagency effort involving 26 international agencies. FAO acts as the secretariat while

the chair is UNDP. The results of the yearly global assessments are presented in the

publication called “State of Food Insecurity (SOFI) in the World.”

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14. She informed the Consultation that global assessment of food security condition

utilize important data derived from food balance sheets, food supply database,

anthropometric and food intake data. These time-series data and information allow

assessment of food insecurity and nutrition situations in countries. The systematic

collection, organization and dissemination of such data is further used for intercountry

and yearly comparisons.

15. Ms Burlingame also shared with the Consultation the global initiatives on food

composition. INFOODS is the basic food composition data project jointly undertaken by

FAO and UNU. It promotes international cooperation and exchange of quality data on

food composition in forms useful for various users.

16. In the region, there is an INFOODS Regional Data Centre called ASEANFOODS

involving seven countries, namely, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore,

Thailand and Viet Nam. Established in 1986, it is currently based in the Institute of

Nutrition, Mahidol University. It has recently compiled the regional nutrient database

and guidelines for harmonizing national food composition database. SAARCFOODS is

the other active Regional Data Centre in the INFOODS network, involving the countries

of South Asia, and currently based at Peshawar Agricultural University, NWFP, Pakistan.

17. She also mentioned that the Dietary Energy Supply (DES) was fundamental to

assessments of food insecurity, as illustrated in SOFI. It served as a basis for estimating

and projecting hunger. She cited that the usually quoted figure of 800 million

undernourished was arrived at by using DES as a parameter. DES depends on good food

composition data.

18. The Consultation was informed of the many options/possibilities of global

FIVIMS in terms of the types of assessments and analyses that could be done.

Ms Burlingame suggested that FIVIMS data could be used for trend analyses or

bivariate/multivariate analyses. She also cited examples of correlation between depths

of hunger and infant mortality, GDP growth and life expectancy. According to the data

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published in SOFI, 2000, the greater the depth of hunger, the higher is the infant

mortality and the lower is the life expectancy. The correlation between GDP growth and

depth of hunger showed inverse relationship.

19. Because food balance sheet data are only national in scope, systematic collection

and compilation of anthropometric and dietary survey data were necessary to provide

subnational nutrition-related assessments.

20. Lastly, she apprised the Consultation of the future plans for the nutrition aspects

of global FIVIMS as follows: collection of better data from agriculture and statistics,

involvement of food composition experts in the preparation of the national agricultural

statistics and the Food Balance Sheets. Nutrition scientists and epidemiologists should

also be involved in the preparation and the use of the databases and setting up of

international standards for classifying/naming of foods.

21. The Consultation was of the opinion that food availability did not automatically

connote consumption inasmuch as the latter is likely to be influenced by accessibility,

marketing and other factors. While national aggregates are useful for macro planning,

household and individual food intake surveys present a more realistic national picture.

22. Siemon Hollema, Assistant Coordinator, FIVIMS Global Perspective Studies

Unit, Economic and Social Department, FAO Headquarters shared with the Consultation

three examples of country experiences in setting up FIVIMS. These countries included

Ecuador, Indonesia and Madagascar. In his presentation, he described the context within

which FIVIMS was to be established in these countries as well as enumerated specific

issues affecting food security. He discussed the technical issues such as narrow

definition of food security, lack of understanding the causes and dynamics of food

insecurity and level of data disaggregation and lack of organizational, technical and

logistics support.

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23. Important remarks were noted during the Consultation in terms of how FIVIMS

should be viewed. FIVIMS should be seen as a general framework within which activities

can be carried out. He underlined that FIVIMS is not an activity in itself but should serve

a predefined purpose and importantly, should be guided by principles of collaboration

and harmonization.

24. The Consultation discussed the use of the terms “hungry” and “undernourished”

which are often used interchangeably. The dimensions of these words can differ

depending on the country context and assessment procedures used. The definitions can

be physiological or a qualitative.

25. It was stressed by the Consultation that FIVIMS should be established using

national perspective as a guide. FIVIMS initiatives should encourage intersectoral

involvement and participation. It should be seen as an initiative and a process.

26. Naoki Minamiguchi, Technical Officer, Global Information and Early Warning

System (GIEWS), Commodities and Trade Division from FAO Headquarters described

the concept of a commonly shared database for FIVIMS as well as demonstrated to the

Consultation the potentials and analytical functionality of the Key Indicators Data System

(KIDS). He started with a brief account of the history of KIDS including the past Inter-

agency Working Group (IAWG) on FIVIMS Meetings that recommended the

development of the Common International Database and later endorsed the establishment

of the KIDS. The development of the KIDS is also one of the objectives of the Asia

FIVIMS trust fund project.

27. The Asia KIDS is Internet-based and accessible from any web-browser. It starts

with static sites linking national and regional institutions involved in FIVIMS as well as

provides information on transitory and chronic food insecurity situations for Asia. It is

an analytical and decision-making tool for policy formulation and program planning on

food security related issues, and the gateway to the dynamic system with online mapping

capability. It offers a variety of options for data retrieval and analyses in map, table and

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chart forms. To date, the prototype Asia KIDS is halfway completion while other

modules for policy implementation and program intervention and their impacts on food

security are under construction.

28. Mr Minamiguchi oriented the Consultation on the three major sections of the

Asia KIDS namely, indicator browsing, data profile analyses and policy interventions. He

also emphasized that the present structure of the Asia KIDS safeguards the ownership of

the data as well as misuse of the data. He also informed the Consultation of the

requirements of the Asia KIDS in terms of hardware and software.

29. Future actions concerning the Asia KIDS include finalization of analytical

models, system optimization and bug fixing and application for the Global KIDS. It is

also planned that testing and evaluation of the System will be carried out firstly in two to

three countries in Asia then in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

30. The Asia KIDS, as appreciated by the Consultation, allows modification and

updating of the data facilitated by passwords assigned to each participating organization.

It can also be used as intra-country analyses for as long as required hardware and

information network are available.

31. The Consultation was also clarified on the difference between the KIDS and the

Key Indicators Mapping System (KIMS). The KIMS is a stand alone mapping and data

analysis system while the KIDS is a web-based FIVIMS data management, analysis and

dissemination tool enabling food insecurity assessments to be done by users via the

Internet.

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Agenda item 2: Review of the country status with regard to the

implementation of FIVIMS and identification of future actions

Bangladesh: presented by Luqueman Ahmed and Mirza Altaf Hossain

32. The Consultation was informed that a number of follow-up activities have been

conducted in Bangladesh. A geographical information system (GIS) project was set up in

1996 which generates information that can be used for designing research programs, local

level agricultural development planning, disaster management and impact assessment of

climatic change on crop production. However, the project does not provide data on

nutrition indicators.

33. From 2001-2005, the World Food Programme (WFP) will undertake as part of its

country programme Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping (VAM). This is in line with

WFP’s new policy of targeting only those who can benefit most from food aid. VAM

allows the WFP to identify the most food insecure as well as better understand the causes,

characteristics and dynamics of food insecurity for different social and economic groups.

34. Likewise, the Consultation noted that a number of surveys are undertaken. A

multiple indicator cluster survey, a collaborative initiative of UNICEF, Bangladesh

Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the Institute of Statistical Research and Training, Dhaka

University, generates data including nutrition and health indicators at the district level.

BBS also conducts censuses and surveys either on regular or on ad-hoc basis while the

Institute of Nutrition and Food Science conducts national surveys every 10 years.

35. Recently, the Bangladesh Institute of Research and Training (BIRTAN) of the

Ministry of Agriculture organized a national workshop on FIVIMS with the support of

FAO (RAP). In the workshop, discussions centered on operational definitions of food

insecurity and vulnerability within Bangladesh context, identification of key indicators,

assessment of existing data collection and disseminations systems, identification of data

10

gaps and design of an appropriate organizational machinery to facilitate the establishment

of FIVIMS.

36. Follow-up actions in the country as noted by the Consultation will include the

creation of a National Task Force and Technical Committee, identification and selection

of indicators, formulation of implementation strategies and finally, formulation of project

proposal.

Cambodia: presented by Chea Samnang

37. The Consultation noted that no in-country activity has taken place with regard to

FIVIMS. Instead, an orientation was given regarding the general background of the

country with emphasis on food and nutrition situation. It was mentioned that WFP has

undertaken a very strong VAM initiative in the country.

38. It was strongly recommended that FAO should assist the Government of

Cambodia in initiating as well as establishing FIVIMS.

China: presented by Zhai Fengying

39. The visits of Jean-Pierre Cotier of ESNA, FAO to Beijing in 1997 and 1999

provided the impetus for the establishment of FIVIMS. This was further reinforced with

the visit of B.K. Nandi of FAO RAP last June 2000 in which key agencies for FIVIMS

were visited.

40. It was noted by the Consultation that a number of surveys are being conducted

which can provide relevant information for FIVIMS. The China Health and Nutrition

Survey and Food and Nutrition Surveillance in 1998 coordinated by the Institute of

Nutrition and Food Hygiene (INFH) of the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine

(CAPM) as well as the household food consumption survey carried out by the State

Statistics Bureau (SSB) generate useful data on food and nutrition situation.

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41. Identified focal point is in the Ministry of Agriculture which gets the support of

Ministry of Health and SSB but until now no major development regarding FIVIMS has

taken place due to financial constraints.

India: presented by Shashi P. Gupta with supplements from Mallika Arya

42. The Consultation was informed that a number of important information systems

exist in the country in different sectors. Some of these include the Management

Information System (MIS) of ICDS scheme, nutrition monitoring, mapping and

surveillance undertaken in some states, food and agriculture bulletins, Child Info

Database of UNICEF and National Family Health Surveys.

43. The Management Information System (MIS) of the nationwide Integrated Child

Development Services (ICDS) scheme has been strengthened to identify 0-6 year

children according to different grades of malnutrition, districtwise. Nutrition monitoring,

mapping and surveillance are undertaken in the States of Assam, Maharashtra, Prajasthan

and Orissa, after the successful experiment in Andhra Pradesh.

44. The India Nutrition Profile (DWCD, 1998) and the National Family Health

Surveys undertaken during 1998-99 are being utilized to identify areas with high

malnutrition and poor social indicators for focused attention. The identification of

priority districts under the National Commission on population is also done using various

development indicators.

45. The community-based monitoring mechanism was highlighted as an important

strategy under the proposed National Nutrition Mission. The States are advised to make

nutrition a subject of development reviews at state and district levels.

46. The focal point on FIVIMS--the Department of Food and Public Distribution has

taken initiative towards the establishment of FIVIMS seeking inputs from members of the

Intersectoral Co-ordination Committee which include the Ministries of Agriculture,

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Rural Areas and Employment, Women and Child Development, Food and Nutrition

Board and the Planning Commission.

47. A TCP project proposal for undertaking the work in Himachal Pradesh and Orissa

is awaiting the approval of FAO Headquarters. Modalities for implementation will be

decided upon approval of the proposal. The Government of India proposes to make

FIVIMS a national agenda.

48. The future action aims to identify the ameliorative measures for the food insecure

and vulnerable areas. Focused attention with greater funding for vulnerable areas

supported by directions from the highest level for elimination of hunger and malnutrition,

was considered important.

Lao PDR: presented by Alounyadeht Banouvong

49. The Consultation was informed that no work has been taken by the government

towards the establishment of FIVIMS. However, installing data and information system

on food security have been recognized as an important step towards laying the foundation

for effective policy, plan and programme formulation for ensuring food security.

50. There are established centres in Lao PDR which collect information from five

sources. The agriculture sector is responsible for three information centres while the

Ministry of Trade collects information from two sources. The National Statistics Centre

is very active and has done considerable work on data collection and analysis.

51. A number of shortcomings has been identified such as lack of coordination,

overlap between sectors, lack of manpower, equipment and technical know-how.

Financial constraints are also strongly felt. It was noted that WFP has initiated the

operation of VAM in the country.

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Malaysia: presented by Chua Piak Chwee

52. The Consultation was informed that there is no FIVIMS yet in place however, the

country undertakes related activities. In 1995, the Ministry of Agriculture launched an

Agricultural Information Network (AGROLINK) to facilitate access as well as streamline

the flow of agricultural data. This is achieved through a central internet website which

makes available general and specialized information relating to agriculture. This website

is available to all.

53. A parallel concept is the Agricultural Information Network (DOANET) of the

Department of Agriculture (DOA) expected to be operational by 2001. In this system,

on-line agricultural information for enhanced project monitoring and reporting system are

available to staff members of DOA.

Nepal: presented by Yogesh Vaidya

54. It was shared to the Consultation that the National Planning Commission (NPC)

was identified as the national FIVIMS focal point. Within the NPC, the National

Nutrition Coordination Committee is working for the establishment of the Nutrition

Surveillance Unit which will facilitate the establishment of FIVIMS and formation of a

task force is in the process for this purpose.

55. The development and establishment of poverty monitoring system in Nepal is

enshrined in the Ninth plan (1997-2001) which aims to set up a regularly updated

comprehensive data base on poverty. The poverty mapping system which utilizes GIS

techniques is expected to gererate useful information for FIVIMS.

56. The nearly-installed decentralized system under the local self-governance

legislation makes it also possible to collect information from grassroots to central level

and vice-versa.

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57. A set of indicators on food security, health, education and risks of disaster have

been used to develop vulnerability maps by the WFP.

58. The Consultation noted that the country is awaiting response from FAO

Representative in Nepal regarding the action taken on a proposal submitted in March

2000 which envisages to establish and advocate for FIVIMS.

Pakistan: presented by Jehangir K. Khalil

59. The Consultation was informed that in Pakistan, FIVIMS has not been

implemented as yet. However, actions have been taken to pave the way for the

establishment of a functional national FIVIMS such as the designation of the Ministry of

Food, Agriculture and Livestock as a focal point.

60. A set of proposed actions has been outlined for the country which include the

establishment of a Food Security Cell within the concerned ministry, organization of a

national steering committee, development of a design for FIVIMS and conduct of

advocacy and awareness campaigns at various administrative levels. Similarly,

budgetary support will be solicited as well as technical support along with acquisition of

relevant softwares. Linkages with national and international agencies interested in

FIVIMS will also be established.

61. The country has already identified relevant data sources for FIVIMS such as

national nutrition survey, agriculture statistics, household income and expenditure survey.

62. He also cited the work of WFP on VAM which mapped Pakistan and nine (9)

food security zones, out of which two are food secure.

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Philippines: presented by Elsa M. Bayani

63. The National Nutrition Council’s (NNC) designation as focal agency for FIVIMS

in 1998 signaled the beginning of the establishment of FIVIMS in the Philippines. Since

then, a number of activities has been carried out. Since the last meeting of the

Consultation in Sri Lanka, a FIVIMS work plan 2000 was developed and distributed

among the members of the FIVIMS Task Force.

64. A Manual of Operations (ManOps) drafted to be used as a working reference by

the members on the mechanics of operationalizing FIVIMS including the roles and

responsibilities of the FIVIMS network was circulated during the Consultation.

However, finalization has not taken place pending the receipt of the results of the review

of the use of Key Indicators Database System (KIDS) as well as the finalization of the

systems design.

65. A Nutrition Country Profile (NCP) was recently completed and submitted to

FAO. Locally generated data were used in the preparation of the NCP to reflect the real

country nutrition situation.

66. Review of KIDS and KIMS are on-going as noted by the Consultation. The

KIDS’ review is aimed at examining and identifying the key indicators for the different

categories proposed by KIDS. A multisectoral task force assigned to undertake the

review has agreed to use relevance, simplicity, sensitivity and timeliness as criteria for

selecting key indicators. On the other hand, the review of KIMS is looking into the

applicability of the system for use in the country.

67. Future actions identified include finalization of FIVIMS design and manual of

operations, conduct of capability-building hardware and software acquisition as well as

awareness and advocacy activities and launching of FIVIMS by mid 2001.

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Sri Lanka: presented by Indra Tudawe

68. The Consultation was updated regarding most recent actions taken in connection

with FIVIMS. Two main activities were undertaken. First was the examination of the

existing information systems in the country relating to food and nutrition.

69. From this exercise, indicators were identified that could be used from these

information systems for monitoring FIVIMS activities. A number of limitations were

identified during these activities relating to survey methodology and data groups.

Funding was also identified as a constraint.

70. Second activity conducted was the brainstorming session with relevant officials in

the ministries and some NGOs to identify the food insecure households. These were

mainly those employed both in agriculture and industry as hired labour, small scale

farmers and fishermen, and small scale self-employed and internally displaced persons.

71. Food secure but nutritionally insecure households, on the other hand, were those

suffering from specific micronutrient deficiencies caused by the type of diets consumed

and inadequate nutrition knowledge and information. Children, adolescents, pregnant

mothers and adult women with anaemia and children with vitamin A and iodine

deficiency were also included in the list.

Thailand: presented by Kanchana Singhaumpai

72. The Consultation noted that since the initiation of FIVIMS, two national

meetings were organized by the Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University. The first

meeting introduced the concept, objectives and the application and usefulness of

FIVIMS. All parties participated in the meeting agreed in principle to establish FIVIMS

in the country with emphasis on the benefits to the country and agencies concerned.

Discussions during the second meeting focused on steps to be undertaken towards the

establishment of the system.

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73. The existing databases established by concerned agencies as well as specific

groups of indicators were identified. The three groups identified were as follows: Food

Production and Distribution Group from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

and Ministry of Commerce, Health and Disease Status Group from the Ministry of

Public Health; and Population and Nutrition Group from the Ministry of Interior, the

Ministry of Public Health, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, and Bangkok

Metropolitan Administration.

74. Since 1998, several measures were undertaken which are as follows: the

recognition of the need to establish FIVIMS, national focal point assigned to the Office

of Agricultural Economics, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, creation of the

National FIVIMS Network, the evaluation and listing of information systems and country

information including preparation of strategies and work plan for the National FIVIMS

and political commitment for sustainable operation.

75. After the appointment of the National FIVIMS Committee, a meeting was held to

consider the progress of FIVIMS and a draft project proposal. The FIVIMS

subcommittee was also established. This subcommittee will be responsible for selecting

the key indicators, databases and other activities to achieve objectives of FIVIMS. There

are also plans to conduct workshops and seminar and networking of the country

databases for National FIVIMS is the target of future work.

Viet Nam: presented by Ha Hai Ly

76. The Consultation noted that the Government of Viet Nam in pursuing its

commitment made in the 1996 World Food Summit has already established FIVIMS at

national level which will be based mostly on food insecurity and vulnerability related

information systems.

77. A cross-sectoral FIVIMS working group, chaired by Ministry of Agriculture (as

focal point) includes representatives from National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Ministry

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of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLISA), Viet Nam Women’s Union (VWU) and General

Statistics Office (GSO). Each participant represents a department responsible for

collecting key indicators. An inventory on available FIVIMS related data was made by

each participant for immediate contribution to the national FIVIMS.

78. A rough baseline for different administrative levels and data providers are being

prepared for final submission to FIVIMS focal point by November 2000.

79. Recognizing the limited fund allocation for FIVIMS activity from the annual

budget of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), it was agreed

that funds will be increased in next year’s budget. The other sources of funds will come

from the newly approved project of Strengthening National Food Security System funded

by Italian Government and executed by FAO. The technical capacity of FIVIMS focal

point office and its partners will be significantly upgraded, especially in the field of inter-

agency networks, data analysis and dissemination of FIVIMS outputs. Moreover, a

proposal was submitted to APEC for funding the development and implementation of a

pilot FIVIMS with the possible participation of the Philippines and Chile and eventually

expanding FIVIMS to all APEC member countries.

80. Preparation of vulnerable profiles for various groups are underway. Each

vulnerability profile contains a minimum set of information on what compose and

interfere with vulnerability of typical households as well as its analysis.

81. Future actions identified include completion of standardized format for FIVIMS

profiles and its subsequent dissemination to concerned ministries/organisations,

development of designs for FIVIMS data banks, and then training of FIVIMS partners

on use of FIVIMS software and methodology.

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Working group sessions

82. For the workshop session on FIVIMS follow-up, the participants were again

divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of participants from Bangladesh, China,

India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and FAO, Rome while Group 2 included Cambodia,

Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam and FAO, Rome.

83. Both groups were first requested to present the status of each country with regard

to FIVIMS establishment using the matrix prepared in the last ANFN meeting as

reference. It was observed by the Consultation that the countries represented are in

varying stages of development with regard to FIVIMS establishment. The status report is

given in Appendix IV.

84. The group discussed what FIVIMS related products need to be produced as well

as identified how these products can influence decisions at the country level. Processes

for establishing FIVIMS were identified together with the agencies/institutions to be

involved. Assistance required to put FIVIMS in place and the constraints that the

different countries have experienced were also cited.

85. Constraints/changes in establishing FIVIMS as well as recommendations for

either country or FAO action were likewise identified. The recommendations of the

Consultation are presented below:

For country action

Re-endorsement:

a. Undertake advocacy/sensitization activities involving decision makers (e.g. policy-

makers, politicians, ministers, etc.) for generating political commitment towards:

• establishment and institutionalization of FIVIMS

• Creating national FIVIMS network involving all concerned sectors and other

organizations

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b. Allocate or redistribute existing resources for FIVIMS related activities.

c. Issue suitable government notification to establish appropriate authority for FIVIMS

and organizational structures required.

d. Establish interagency working groups for setting up and operationalisation of

FIVIMS (where applicable).

e. Create a strong collaborating mechanism between FIVIMS and NPAN

activities/nodal/focal points.

f. Organize orientation seminars for key stakeholders in FIVIMS establishment with

special emphasis on linking with NPAN.

g. Upgrade technical capability of FIVIMS focal point and other functionaries for

setting up FIVIMS, with special emphasis on information technology, mapping, data

quality assurance, data analysis, interpretation and dissemination.

h. Upgrade hardware facilities (computers, projectors, etc.) for FIVIMS

i. Develop/adapt relevant materials for FIVIMS, e.g. user’s manual for software,

manual of operations, reference books, etc.

j. Disseminate information regarding FIVIMS to potential users, through FIVIMS

newsletters, internet, brochures and other media.

New recommendations :

i) Document success stories for possible inclusion in SOFI 2001.

ii) Prepare and submit appropriate project proposals for funding of FIVIMS and related

activities.

iii) Review the set of indicators identified during the Sri Lanka ANFN and Bali

meetings and submit to FAO the proposed minimum list.

For FAO action

i) Re-endorsement

• Assist countries in advocating/sensitizing policy makers and

implementers, concerned UN agencies and other donors for FIVIMS

establishment and operationalization.

21

• Develop basic FIVIMS kit (advocacy materials, overhead

transparencies, PowerPoint presentation, brochures, etc.) for distribution

to country focal points.

• Organize and conduct regular training for FIVIMS / NPAN focal points

and others concerned.

• Provide other forms of technical assistance as required for establishment

and operationalization of FIVIMS

• Continue to distribute FIVIMS newsletter and other relevant materials to

FIVMIS focal points, NPAN focal points and others concerned.

• Advocate for inclusion of FIVIMS in the agenda of the international

and regional food and nutrition conferences.

• Continue to advocate for inclusion of food and nutrition data in the

agenda of all regional and international FIVIMS meetings.

• Continue to facilitate attendance of FIVIMS related officials to

participate in IAWG and other related meetings.

ii) New recommendations

• Facilitate coordination with other UN agencies like WFP to ensure

complementation/integration of programmes like FIVIMS and VAM.

• Country representatives to the Committee on Food Security (CFS) need

to be involved in FIVIMS, and FIVIMS focal points need to be involved

in SCFS, with documents distributed.

• All IAWG documents need to be distributed to FIVIMS focal points,

and other relevant people.

• Send letters to high government officials to remind them of their

FIVIMS commitments.

• Provide relevant data sets including FAOSTAT on CD-ROM to FIVIMS

focal points.

• Integrate food composition data with Food Balance Sheet data and other

FIVIMS data

22

• Develop a regional database to run on the FAO server, with countries

submitting data based on a few core indicators.

• Documentation of examples of best practices and success stories for

possible inclusion in SOFI 2001.

Agenda item 3: Activities concerning a) traditional food resources of

indigenous peoples in the region including case studies and

their role in providing food security and b) regional food

composition activities

86. Harriet Kuhnlein, Founding Director of CINE presented to the Consultation the

history of the work on indigenous peoples and CINE. Definitions of indigenous peoples

and traditional food systems were given. The presentation consisted of an introduction to

CINE, presentation of video and proposals for case studies for Bangladesh, China, India

and Thailand.

87. CINE is a resource center for research and education dealing with concerns along

nutrition and health, environmental protection and conservation. A recurring theme in the

work of the Center is the disappearance of some food species as well as their traditional

food uses and the deteriorating environmental conditions that affect in general the way

and quality of life of the indigenous peoples. Other concerns are the increasing trends of

chronic degenerative diseases like diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases as well as

fetal alcohol syndrome among others.

88. She also shared to the Consultation the participatory research methodology being

used by the Center in studying Traditional Food Sources and their uses.

89. There were three (3) case study proposals shared although most of them have yet

to implement these projects. Case studies were presented by Suttilak Smitisiri of INMU,

Mahidol University, Thailand, and Zhai Fengying from the Institute of Nutrition and

23

Food Hygiene, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Salome Yesudas of DDS in

India and Salek Ahmed of UBINIG in Bangladesh. Ms Yesudas and Dr Ahmed belong

to NGO organizations which are members of the South Asian Network of Food, Ecology

and Culture. These case studies have chosen the following tribal/minority groups: Karen

for Thailand, Inner Mongolia Minority group and Miao (Hmong) Minority group of

Guizou for China. Bangladesh and India will work with the very poor and their use of

uncultivated foods.

Working group session

90. The participants were divided into two working groups. one group consisted of

participants coming from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Lao PDR, the

Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam worked on traditional food sources. The other

group discussed regional food composition activities. This group consisted of

participants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Thailand.

91. The Consultation observed that there was an overwhelming positive response in

terms of the potential for undertaking work with indigenous peoples as well as majority

felt that the indigenous peoples would be interested in taking part. While some of the

participants were able to give some estimates on number (range from 15 to 100) of

tribal/minority people present in their respective countries, it was felt that the figures

ought to be validated and later on sent to CINE. A number of publications were also

identified which will be relevant to the work of the participants like reports on food,

nutrition and health data profiles of each tribal group. In terms of food composition

studies, majority felt that analyses should be made for all important nutrients and energy

content. However, none of the participants had any idea about how much the studies

would cost.

92. On proposed outline for FAO/IDRC publication, the group suggested to also

include national efforts, methods for preserving indigenous knowledge, maps, other uses

24

of traditional food sources (TFS), various meanings attached to TFS and

recommendations for international and national actions.

93. It was also suggested by the Consultation to include mapping in the list of

methodologies and include sub-topics for participatory research. For a holistic and

integrated research undertaking, a multidisciplinary team including an anthropologist

was deemed important.

94. Other issues surfaced during the discussions. For example, the research teams

should also collect information on organizations, GO and NGO, working with indigenous

peoples, on-going food and nutrition programs and projects targeting them, existing food

composition information of local foods used by indigenous people and impact of

government policies on the lifestyle of indigenous peoples.

95. The Consultation was informed that the working group on food composition

recommended to also include the analysis, compilation and data on indigenous foods and

the data incorporation into national food composition tables and databases.

96. In pursuit of cooperation and harmonization, and in the context of FIVIMS,

national and regional food composition database developers should be furnished with

unabridged and aggregated food lists and compositional values for food balance sheet

foods. In addition, commodity trees, yield data and conversions factors used in food

balance sheets should also be given.

97. It was suggested that FAO should convene a meeting or consultation for

rationalizing food classifications, food descriptors and food composition data between

national and regional food composition databases and food balance sheets.

98. The Consultation was informed that ASEANFOODS in cooperation with

SAARCFOODS will run a regional food composition-training course in late 2001.

25

99. A regional database is also slated to be created between 2001 to February 2002

for South Asian Region.

100. Upgrading of quality food analysis laboratories will also be carried out like in-

house quality control system, laboratory performance study and development of regional

food reference materials.

Agenda item 4: Review of the progress at the national level in respect of follow-

up on ICN and WFS

Bangladesh: presented by Mirza Altaf Hossain and Luqueman Ahmed

101. The Consultation was informed that Bangladesh Government recently approved the

Agriculture Policy which aims to ensure food self-sufficiency in the country by involving

non-government and private organizations in the production process. The Government also

recently approved the project on home gardening and nutrition with funding from UNDP

and FAO as the executing agency. To develop human resources on nutrition and related

areas, the Ministry of Agriculture has taken initiative for the establishment of a full-pledged

applied nutrition institute which will also focus on in-country training activities on food

and nutrition planning.

102. Food monitoring unit with early warning system was set up in the Food Ministry to

oversee and monitor the food situation in the country. This initiative will be useful for

tackling disaster and food distribution problems.

103. Under the health sector, the implementation of the National Nutrition Programme

(NNP) started last July 2000 with a total budget of 125 million US dollars. Initially, the

project will cover more than one-fourth (139 upazilla) of the country. The project aims to

improve nutrition situation of the country through community nutrition programme and

intersectoral involvement of government and non-government organizations.

26

104. Food-for-Education programme under the Ministry of Education is being

implemented. About 300 thousand metric tons of wheat are distributed among the primary

students every year to encourage the children to be educated and at the same time to ensure

household level food and nutrition security for the poor people.

105. Under the Vulnerable Group Development Programme (VGDP), 4.2 million

distressed families were benefited during the 1998 floods.

106. A project proposal on FIVIMS is also being developed to facilitate the establishment

of a database for programme planning, targeting, monitoring and evaluation.

Cambodia: presented by Chea Samnang

107. Cambodia’s NPAN with implementation from national to local level attempts to

address the multifactorial causation of malnutrition. Developed with interministerial

participation, the NPAN has three main components, namely: government policy, current

nutrition situation and twelve priority areas.

108. A ten-year Cambodian Nutrition Investment Plan (CNIP, 1998-2008) with a

budget of US$90 million provides for a long term strategy to attain sustainable nutrition

improvements. Central to this CNIP is a community-based approach emphasizing actions

at the household level supported by national and provincial level approaches.

109. On-going nutrition programmes include the Community Action for Social

Development (CASD) and Food Insecurity and Provincial Development Programmes

(PDP). The existing five-year UNICEF-assisted CASD programme is implemented in

eight provinces and targets women and children while GTZ-assisted Food Insecurity and

PDP are being concluded in the two provinces.

110. International organizations like WFP, FAO, UNDP/CARERE, CARE

International among others as well as national NGOs are providing support to the NPAN.

27

China: presented by Zhai Fengying

111. NPAN was approved in 1997 but until now the government has not formally

designated a focal point office. Despite this, a number of programs and strategies for

strengthening actions toward improving nutrition have been conducted or are on-going.

112. A surveillance and improvement of children’s nutrition was undertaken

employing the following strategies: training of grassroot nutrition workers, nutrition

education, food production and vitamin and mineral supplementation. Incorporation of

nutrition considerations into local agriculture, economic and forestry development plan

is also being pursued.

113. A data bank is being established which will generate information for analyzing

nutritional status of the Chinese people particularly those living in the poor rural areas.

Data will come from the Chinese Household Food Consumption Survey, China National

Nutrition Survey, Food and Nutrition Surveillance System.

114. Dietary guidelines for Chinese population is being used in the implementation of

nutrition education and related activities. The Plan for Action for Improving the Physical

Fitness and Health of the Chinese Children was issued jointly by the Ministry of

Agriculture and State Administration of Physical Education and Culture and circulated

among the highest government officials. School milk, feeding, soybean utilization and

school lunch programmes are also being implemented.

115. Research activities regarding fortification of wheat flour with lysine and soy

sauce with iron are on-going in selected provinces in the western part of China.

116. Health initiatives for Children in Western China was also launched. A mix of

interventions, namely: food fortification, nutrition education, vitamin supplementation,

food production like home gardening and expansion of soybean utilization will be

implemented.

28

India: presented by Shashi P. Gupta

117. The Consultation was informed of the progress in the institutionalisation of the

National Nutrition Policy (NNP) and the National Plan of Action on Nutrition (NPAN)

since the last meeting of ANFN. The proposed National Nutrition Mission, developed to

achieve the objectives of NNP and NPAN within a timeframe, was discussed and

endorsed by the Food and Nutrition Council on 24 January 2000. Presently, it is under

active consideration of the Government.

118. Four regional advocacy workshops on nutrition were organized to sensitize policy

makers and programme implementors of various states on the magnitude of the

malnutrition problem and the three-pronged strategy of the mission, namely: vigorous

awarenes campaign, direct interventions for preventing onset of malnutrition in 0-2 year

olds and breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition, and establishing nutrition

monitoring, mapping and surveillance. The States were assisted in drawing up State

Plans of Action on Nutrition through working group sessions.

119. A number of States have constituted intersectoral coordination mechanisms for

effective implementation of NNP.

120. State, divisional and district level workshops are being organized in different

states. These activities are intended to create awareness and provide technical support for

undertaking nutrition activities.

121. The status of achievement of nutrition goals set under the NPAN was reviewed in

an interministerial meeting held on August 31, 2000. Final meeting will be convened by

the Minister of State for Women and Child Development to review the NPAN and set the

nutrition goals for 2005/2010.

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122. The plan of action for food security in India has been developed by the

Department of Food and Public Distribution seeking inputs from all partners. The Plan

highlights the role of concerned sectors under each commitment.

Nepal: presented by Yogesh Vaidya

123. The Nepal NPAN, prepared in conformity with the ICN goals, was finalized in

October 1996 by the National Nutrition Coordination Committee (NNCC) of the National

Planning Commission (NPC). With the adoption of NNPAN in the 9th Plan (1998-2002),

a separate policy on nutrition was included under Social Science and Food Security.

124. In 1998, the NNCC organized a multiagency meeting of government, non-

government, donors and private sector to discuss implementation strategies of NPAN.

125. As a follow-up of the review meeting held in 1999, a programme review for the

period 1998-99 as well as identification of future plans was held in September 2000. The

results of the review revealed that sectoral programmes were not well-defined and

targeted. National Vitamin A and Universal Salt Iodization Programmes were most

successful in terms of coverage. There is also a need to strengthen NNCC with a

secretariat of its own to make it a full-pledged functional entity for policy planning as

well as monitoring and multisectoral coordination.

126. The Multiple Indicators Surveillance has been regularized as a new undertaking

of Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) for generating information related to nutrition,

health and social indicators for planning and monitoring of programmes.

127. Nepal National Micronutrient Status Survey (1998) as completed by UNICEF and

the final report is expected by November 2000.

30

Philippines: presented by Elsa M. Bayani

128. The Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) integrates all the efforts of

national government, local government units, NGOs including community-based NGOs,

academia, business sector and the international community in planning, implementing

and managing nutrition improvement activities.

129. The successor medium term PPAN (1999-2004) was presented and adopted by

the Intersectoral National Nutrition Council (NNC) Governing Board. The mix of impact

programs remained the same except for the removal of the Credit for Livelihood

Programme. Formerly combined as one impact programme, food fortification and

micronutrient supplementation are now two distinct impact programmes. Enabling

mechanisms previously chosen were still seen as applicable.

130. A major activity carried out under the Research and Standards was the

presentation of the results of the 5th National Nutrition Survey conducted in 1998 by the

Food and Nutrition Research Institute in March 2000. With the results still showing

pervasive problems of malnutrition among young children, pregnant and lactating

women, adults and the elderly, the PPAN targets were revised accordingly.

131. The Food Fortification Act of 2000 was recently signed by the President. This

legislative milestone is expected to contribute to the reduction if not virtual elimination of

micronutrient deficiencies in the long term.

132. With regard to Nutrition Education program, the updated Nutritional Guidelines

for Filipinos (NGF) 2000 was launched last July during the Nutrition Month celebration.

NGF 2000 will be the key nutrition messages for PPAN up to 2004.

133. To improve the overall food and nutrition situation security, a mix of strategies

was identified for adoption. These are generating and mobilizing resources to focusing on

programs which has greater potential for success and sustainability, targeted approach in

31

terms of nutrition problems and population groups and stronger advocacy to local

government units to give nutrition the priority it deserves.

Sri Lanka: presented by Indra Tudawe

134. The Consultation was updated on the most recent developments in the country in

connection with the National Plan of Action for Nutrition (NPAN). For nutrition

surveillance programmes, new recording forms are being introduced to replace the old

ones. Specifically, a child health development record will replace the former growth

chart for the child growth surveillance programme. Similarly, a new card to record

monthly weight gain of pregnant women for improving birth outcomes has been

introduced.

135. A pilot project on supplementary feeding of primary school children was also

launched. Fortified biscuits are being distributed to school children.

136. Under the Food Act No. 26, a code of ethics for food and beverage advertising is

being developed.

137. A preliminary national nutrition investment plan has been developed in

collaboration with ADB and IFPRI. The plan has identified areas for investments that is

aimed at nutritional improvements.

Thailand: presented by Songsak Srianujata and Pattanee Winichagoon

138. The Consultation was informed that in Thailand, with efforts from concerned

agencies many steps have been taken to reach NPAN goals. The national directive and

plan of action plays a very important role in guiding the implementation, particularly in

terms of institutional arrangements to bring all parties to work harmoniously.

32

139. The mid-term evaluation of the 8th National Food and Nutrition Plan is underway

to set the stage for the next national plan. The prevalence of underweight among under

five children is under control according to the surveillance data of the Department of

Health. Thus, emphasis has been placed on addressing micronutrient deficiencies (IDA,

IDD and VAD in particular) and obesity. Programmes to address micronutrient

deficiency include food fortification and weekly iron supplementation for school

children.

140. The implementation and promotion of national food-based dietary guidelines is

being pursued. With the new policy for achieving economic sufficiency, reforms are

being introduced in the political, economic, education and health systems as well as

decentralization. Consequently, the 9th NESDP of Thailand is shaped to conform with

the reforms and in anticipation of the impact of globalization.

141. Key issues on diet-related chronic diseases are being dealt with using the life-

cycle approach and promotion of the programme on “Healthy Thais.” This programme

incorporates a number of objectives, the problem reduction/nutrition and health

promotion, participation for sustainable development.

Viet Nam: presented by Ha Huy Khoi

142. The Consultation noted that this year marks the end of the first 5-year NPAN

formulated. Many activities were carried out in pursuit of NPAN targets for the period

1995-2000. The control of protein-energy malnutrition received priority attention and

has resulted to a reduction in the prevalence of PEM (using weight-for-age) from 45% in

1995 to present levels of 34%.

143. Projects to prevent and eliminate micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin A

and iron were extended. A pilot project on iron fortification of fish sauce is on-going

simultaneously with iron supplementation. Viet Nam is also preparing to host the next

IVACG meeting in February 2001 in Hanoi.

33

144. Nutrition education and awareness activities like Micronutrients Day (1-2 June)

and Nutrition and Development Week (13-16 October) were also organized.

145. A national food consumption and nutrition status survey was also conducted to

evaluate the achievements of NPAN implementation. Data processing and analysis are

on-going.

146. Lastly, in response to a government directive, a document on nutrition strategies

for the period 2001-2010 was prepared and submitted to the Bureau of Government for

ratification.

Agenda item 5: Other matters

WFP on Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM)

147. Mahadevan Ramachandran, Technical Officer of the Regional Office of the WFP

presented the Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) to the Consultation. The

regional workplan presented broad plans for VAM activities for Cambodia, China,

Indonesia/East Timor, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Myanmar, Lao PDR and

Viet Nam were highlighted.

148. VAM activities include targeting of food insecure areas, setting up of food

security, monitoring and evaluation system, early warning, growing season tracking,

rapid disaster support and capacity-building, to name a few.

149. The experiences in Cambodia and Lao PDR were cited. In Cambodia, VAM

allows for finer targeting of food aid to the poorest. The monitoring and evaluation

system is being upgraded to better track food aid getting to the poorest and making a

difference in their lives. The actual VAM outputs in Lao PDR, on the other hand, enable

WFP to identify the most food insecure and the causes of food insecurity.

34

150. The Consultation urged FAO and WFP to provide clear guidelines on

coordinating FIVIMS and VAM activities.

TCP Project Proposal on FIVIMS

151. B.K. Taimni, consultant for the Indian Government to FAO shared with the

Consultation the history of the development of the TCP proposal on establishment of

FIVIMS at central level and two provinces in India. The guidelines for FIVIMS have

been developed and it was also recognized by the Government that support is needed to

concretize actions on FIVIMS. The draft TCP proposal has been prepared by the

Consultant and submitted to FAO Headquarters and is awaiting action.

152. He also described to the Consultation the contents of the TCP and stated that the

proposal is expected to last for 18 months. Background information, justification for

assistance and areas where assistance are needed, are included in TCP. In general,

assistance for training key personnel, adaptation of software, purchase of hardware and a

technical workshop are being requested. Government counterpart was also identified.

After completion of TCP and its evaluation, FIVIMS is proposed to be expanded in a

phased manner to other provinces.

WHO Update on ICN Follow-up Actions

153. Somchai Peerapakorn, National Professional Officer on Programme, WHO, South

East Asia Region updated the Consultation on the results of the last WHO sponsored

workshop on the status of NPAN. The joint FAO/WHO workshop was organized in New

Delhi in 1999. Three issues were discussed during this workshop, namely: impact,

sustainability and what needs to be done and how.

154. Important conclusions were arrived at during the meeting. All countries of the

South East Asian Region have developed their NPANs. These NPANs were adjudged to

be appropriate, specific enough and adaptable. NPAN, as a common framework, was

found useful for organizing nutrition work in the country and encouraged intersectoral

coordination.

35

155. However, a number of actions still need to be pursued. Sharing of information,

learning from successes and failures, coping with socio-economic and political changes

and epidemiology of food and nutrition situation are recommended. Adoption of

community based strategies using the triple A approach for ownership and empowerment,

strengthening of control of iron deficiency anaemia, realizing the full potential of primary

health should also be listed into.

*****

36

Appendix I

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

BANGLADESH Mirza Altaf HossainDirectorBangladesh Institute of Research and Training on Applied Nutrition (BIRTAN)Sech Bhaban22, Manik Mia AvenueSher-e-Bangla NagarDhaka 1207Tel: (8802) 8110798; 9117862Fax: (8802) 811884 (Attn: Director, BIRTAN)Email: birtan@citechco.net

Luqueman AhmedChief, Programming Division and FIVIMS Focal PointBlock No. 2, Room No. 20Planning Commission, Sher-e-Bangla NagarDhakaTel: (8802) 8114735Fax: (8802) 8113377

CAMBODIA Chea SamnangDirectorDepartment of Rural Health CareMinistry of Rural DevelopmentPhnom PenhTel: (855-12) 873071Fax: (855-12) 232316547Email: pcbsamnang@bigpond.comkh

CHINA Zhai Fengying Deputy Director

Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine

29 Nan Wei Road Beijing 100050

Tel: (8610) 63041362 Fax: (8610) 63011875 Email: infh@.public.bta.net.cn

37

INDIA Shashi P. GuptaTechnical AdviserFood and Nutrition BoardDepartment of Women and Child DevelopmentGovernment of IndiaShastri BhawanNew Delhi 110001Tel: (9111) 3383823Fax: (9111) 3370479 / 3381495Email: shashi_p_gupta@hotmail.com

Mallika AryaDeputy SecretaryMinistry of FoodRoom No. 260, Krishi BhavanNew DelhiTel: (9111) 3382338Fax: (9111) 3388302Email: mallikaarya@yahoo.com

B.K. TaimniCII/41, Moti BaghNew DelhiTel: (9111) 4102445Email: taimni@mantraonline.com

INDONESIA Irawati Susalit (invited but could not attend)Head (Nutrition)Bureau of Social Welfare, Health and NutritionNational Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS)Jl. Taman Suropati No. 2Jakarta 10310Tel: (6221) 334379Fax: (6221) 3926603

LAO PDR Alounyadeht BanouvongTechnical OfficerPlanning DivisionMinistry of Agriculture and ForestryDepartment of AgricultureP.O. Box 811VientianeTel: (856-21) 412350Fax: (856-21) 412349Email: DOA@LaoTelecom.com

38

MALAYSIA Chua Piak ChweeAssistant DirectorInformation Technology SectionPlanning DivisionDepartment of AgricultureWisma Tani, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin50632 Kuala LumpurTel: 603-26954462Fax: 603-2947151Email: pcchua@smtp.moa.my

NEPAL Yogesh VaidyaDeputy Director GeneralDepartment of Plant ResourcesResearch and Planning DivisionG.P.O. Box 2270ThapathaliKathmanduTel: (977-1) 244972 / 251171Fax: (977-1) 244583 / 251141Email: acnepal@wlink.com.np

banaspati@flora.wlink.com.np

PAKISTAN Jehangir K. KhalilRegional Coordinator SAARCFOODSFaculty of Nutrition SciencesNWFP Agricultural UniversityPeshawarTel: (92-91) 9216556Fax: (92-91) 9216520Email: jkhalil@psh.brain.net.pk

khaliljk@hotmail.com jkhalil@psh.paknet.com.pk

PHILIPPINES Elsa M. BayaniExecutive DirectorNational Nutrition CouncilP.O. Box 2490Makati Central Post OfficeMakati CityTel: (632) 8187398Fax: (632) 8164280Email: nncelsa@i-next.net

39

Antonia G. TuazonDean, College of Human Ecology and Director, Regional Training Programme on Food and Nutrition PlanningUniversity of the Philippines at Los BañosCollege, Laguna 4031Tel: (6349) 5362445Fax: (6349) 5362918Email: magt@laguna.net

SRI LANKA Indra TudaweSenior Research and Training Officer(Food and Nutrition)Agrarian Research and Training Institute114, Wijerama MawathaColombo 7Tel: (941) 682283Fax: (941) 501922Email: itudawe@sri.lanka.net

THAILAND Songsak SrianujataDirectorInstitute of NutritionMahidol University at SalayaPuthhamonthonNakorn Prathom 73170Tel: (662) 4419740Fax: (662) 4410218 / 4419344Email: directnu@mahidol.ac.th

Kanchana SinghaumpaiSenior Policy and Plan AnalystOffice of Agricultural EconomicsNational FIVIMS focal pointMinistry of Agriculture and CooperativesJatujak, Bangkok 10900Tel: (662) 9407207—8Fax: (662) 9407208 / 9407095

40

Pattanee WinichagoonHead, Community Nutrition SectionInstitute of NutritionMahidol University at SalayaNakorn ChaisriNakorn Prathom 73170Tel: (662) 4419740Fax: (662) 4410218 / 4419344Email: nupwn@mahidol.ac.th

Arunee KrittayanawatSenior Policy and Plan AnalystOffice of Agricultural EconomicsNational FIVIMS focal pointMinistry of Agriculture and CooperativesJatujak, Bangkok 10900Tel: (662) 9407207—8Fax: (662) 9407208 / 9407095

Charnchai PaethongPolicy and Plan AnalystOffice of Agricultural EconomicsNational FIVIMS focal pointMinistry of Agriculture and CooperativesJatujak, Bangkok 10900Tel: (662) 9407207—8Fax: (662) 9407208 / 9407095

Uraiporn ChittchangInstitute of NutritionMahidol University at SalayaNakorn ChaisriNakorn Prathom 73170Tel: (662) 4419740Fax: (662) 4410218 / 4419344Email: nuuce@mahidol.ac.th

VIET NAM Ha Huy KhoiDirectorThe National Institute of Nutrition48 Tang Bat HoHanoiTel: (844) 9713784Fax: (844) 9717885Email: NIN@netnam.org.vn

41

Ha Hai LyChief, Food Security Information SystemsNational FIVIMS focal pointPlanning and Projection DepartmentMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development2 Ngoc Ha - Ba DinhHanoiTel / Fax: (844) 8436818Email: bnn@hn.vnn.vn

ha_hai_ly@hotmail.com

Resource Persons: Harriet V. Kuhnlein, Ph.D., R.D.Professor of Human NutritionFounding Director, Centre for Indigenous Peoples'Nutrition and Environment (CINE)McGill University, Macdonald Campus21, 111 LakeshoreSte. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X3V9CanadaTel: 514-398-7671 or 7757Fax: 514-398-1020Email: kuhnlein@macdonald.mcgill.caWeb: www.cine.mcgill.ca

Prapasri PuwastienASEANFOODS Technical CoordinatorInstitute of Nutrition, Mahidol UniversitySalaya, Phutthamonthon 4Nakorn ChaisriNakorn Prathom 73170ThailandTel: (662) 4410217Fax: (662) 4419344Email: nuppw@mahidol.ac.th

Suttilak SmitasiriHead, Division of Communication and Behavioural ScienceInstitute of Nutrition, Mahidol UniversitySalaya, Phutthamonthon 4Nakorn ChaisriNakorn Prathom 73170ThailandTel: (662) 4419035--9Fax: (662) 4419344Email: nussm@mahidol.ac.th

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Salek AhmedHealth Research CoordinatorUBINIG5/3, Barabo, Mahanpur, Ring roadShaymoli, Dhaka -1207BangladeshTel: (88-02) 8111465 / 8116420Fax: (88-02) 8113065Email: nkrish@bdmail.net

Salome YesudasSenior Nutrition SpecialistDeccan Development Societya-6 Meera Apartments, BasheerbaghHyderabad, 500029IndiaTel: (91-040) 3222260 / 3222867Fax: (91-040) 3222260Email : ddshyd@hd1.vsnl.net.in

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UN Agency:

WFP Mahadevan RamachandranVAM Officerc/o World Food ProgrammeUnited Nations Building (4th Floor)Rajadamnern AvenueBangkok 10200Tel: 662 2881463Fax: 662 2881046Email: Mahadevan.Ramachandran@wfp.org

WHO Somchai PeerapakornNational Professinal Officer on ProgrammeOffice of WHO Representative to ThailandWHO South East Asia Regionc/o Permanent Secretary Building 3, 4th FloorMinistry of Public HealthTiwanon RoadNonthaburi 11000Tel: (662) 5918198 / 5901524Fax: (662) 5918199Email: somchai@whothai.moph.go.th

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FAO Secretariat: Barbara BurlingameSenior OfficerNutrition Planning, Assessment and Evaluation ServiceFood and Nutrition DivisionFAO HeadquartersRome, ITALYTel: (3906) 57053728Fax: (3906) 57054593Email: Barbara.Burlingame@fao.org

Siemon HollemaAssistant Coordinator, FIVIMSGlobal Perspective Studies UnitEconomic and Social DepartmentFAO HeadquartersRome, ItalyTel: (3906) 57054899Fax: (3906) 57056172Email: Siemon.Hollema@fao.org

Naoki MinamiguchiTechnical OfficerGlobal Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS)Commodities and Trade DivisionFAO HeadquartersRome, ITALYTel: (3906) 57054320Fax: (3906) 57054495Email: Naoki.Minamiguchi@fao.org

T.C. TiSenior Food Systems EconomistFAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific39 Phra Atit RoadBangkok 10200, ThailandTel: (662) 2817844 ext. 266Fax: (662) 2800445Email: TC.Ti@fao.org

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Biplab K. NandiSenior Food and Nutrition OfficerFAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific39 Phra Atit RoadBangkok 10200, ThailandTel: (662) 2817844 ext. 143Fax: (662) 2800445 / 2819757Email: Biplab.Nandi@fao.org

Annoek van den WijngaartAssociate Professional Officer (Nutrition)FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific39 Phra Atit RoadBangkok 10200, ThailandTel: 662 2817844 ext. 153Fax: 662 2800445 / 2819757Email: Annoek.vandenWijngaart@fao.org

Bipasha ChatterjeeEconomist/Young ProfessionalFood Security and Agricultural Projects Analysis ServiceAgriculture and Economic Development Analysis DivisionFAO HeadquartersRome, ItalyTel: (3906) 570 54903Email: Bipasha.Chatterjee@fao.org

Somchai UdomsrirungruangSecretaryFAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific39 Phra Atit RoadBangkok 10200, ThailandTel: 662 2817844 ext. 134Fax: 662 2819757 / 2800445Email: S.Udomsrirungruang@fao.org

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Appendix II

Opening address

by

R.B. SinghAssistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific

FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand

Madam Chairperson,

Honourable Guests,

Distinguished Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am pleased to welcome you on behalf of the Director-General of the Food and

Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Jacques Diouf, and on my own behalf

to this extremely important Regional Expert Consultation of the Asia Pacific Network for

Food and Nutrition on “the Follow-up on Establishment of Food Insecurity and

Vulnerability and Information Mapping Systems (FIVIMS).” I am delighted to welcome

the representatives of other UN agencies, Harriet V. Kuhnlein from the Centre for

Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment (CINE), Canada, and my colleagues

from Headquarters and also from the Regional Office.

This Consultation is being held in the context of the overall mandate of FAO to

promote production, distribution and marketing of safe, wholesome and nutritious food

in order to raise the levels of nutrition and standards of living for people.

The World Food Summit (WFS) held in 1996 attended by 186 governments had

resolved to reduce the number of the undernourished people in the world by at least 50

percent by the year 2015 with the longer-term goal of eventually eradicating hunger and

achieving food security for all.

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It is estimated that about 826 million people are undernourished of which 792

million are in the developing world and remaining 34 million are in the developed world.

Asia and the Pacific with 515 million undernourished people is home to 65 per cent of the

world’s chronically hungry people.

The FAO report on the State of Food Insecurity in the World, 2000 (SOFI) also

brings out that the daily diets of the 826 million chronically hungry people lack an

average of 100 to 400 kilocalories. The greater the lack of energy, the greater is the

susceptibility to nutrition related health risks and thereby limiting their ability to lead an

active life. In this region, the depth of hunger is particularly serious in Bangladesh, DPR

Korea and Mongolia. Moderately high hunger (the hungry falling short by 250 to 300

kcal/person/day) was prevalent in several Asian countries, namely, Cambodia, China.

India, Lao PDR, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand

and Viet Nam.

Among the sub-regions, the problem is most serious in South Asia, which houses

one-third of the world’s undernourished and two-fifths of the world’s poor. South Asia is

home to nearly half of the world’s malnourished children. With such a high

concentration of hungry children the future of these nations is already dwarfed unless

directed efforts are made to pull these pockets out of the state where hunger breeds

hunger.

Are we faltering in our commitment and promise made at the World Food

Summit. In the Asia-Pacific Region, it is not only that the number is high, but most

disturbingly it remains stubbornly high and in fact has increased by a few millions in the

recent years. To meet our pledge, the ranks of the region’s hungry must be reduced by at

lest 14 million people per year instead of the 13 million set at the time of the Summit in

1996.

Agendas at national and international levels therefore must give the highest

priority to ensuring food to the hungry and elimination of the fear of starvation. In this

48

context, it is most imperative to identify the hungry and the vulnerable, and the

underlying causes so as to develop focused and targeted programmes for effectively

reaching the unreached. A well-designed food insecurity and vulnerability information

and mapping system or FIVIMS is the logical instrument and step.

Mr Chairman:

Permit me to recall the main objectives of FIVIMS, namely, to: i) increase global

attention to problems of food insecurity; ii) improve data quality and analysis through the

development of new tools and capacity building in developing countries; iii) promote

effective and better directed action aimed at reducing food insecurity and poverty; iv)

promote donor collaboration on food security information systems at the global and

country levels; and v) improve access to information through networking and sharing.

Thus, FIVIMS is a framework within which a wide range of activities may be

carried out at both national and international levels in support of improved information to

achieve national and household food security goals. Although many countries already

have information systems that provide FIVIMS-related information at the national level,

locally-collected information having a direct bearing on the situation of food insecure and

vulnerable households and individuals is still lacking in many others.

At national level, FIVIMS is based on information systems already in existence,

it responds to the information needs of the different user groups within the country itself,

and is operated and controlled by the country involved. By supporting the development

of national information system activities, and raising the awareness of policy-makers and

other concerned members of civil society about the plight of the food insecure and the

vulnerable, the FIVIMS initiative is expected to result in improved policy formulation;

improved programme management; more effective design and targeting of interventions

besides more co-ordinated inter-sectoral and inter-institutional dialogue.

As you might recall, at the last year’s consultation held in Sri Lanka we had

identified some priority actions. I am pleased that FAO RAP in close collaboration with

49

you has maintained sustained follow-up on these. RAP facilitated participation of some

of the participants at the FIVIMS Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG)-4 meeting held

in Bali, Indonesia in February this year.

RAP has sent FIVIMS newsletters and distributed software on Key Indicators

Mapping Systems (KIMS). It participated in national meetings concerning FIVIMS

establishment in Bangladesh and India. A consultant was fielded to formulate a TCP

project proposal for FIVIMS establishment in India. A mission from Headquarters is

expected to provide further input in order to assist the Government of India in finalizing

the TCP proposal. In China the establishment of FIVIMS was discussed during a mission

in July. In Thailand a number of meetings were held with the Ministry of Agriculture

and Co-operatives and the Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University (INMU). The

country is finalizing a TCP project proposal in collaboration with RAP and ESD. In

Viet Nam FAO has assisted in the formulation of a project in which FIVIMS

development is a priority.

Moreover, missions relating to FIVIMS were undertaken by RAP to Myanmar

and Cambodia and one has been planned for Lao PDR later this year. RAP attaches great

importance to exploring possibilities in these countries as well where the database

systems are generally not very strong.

I note from the Agenda that you will review the status of FIVIMS implementation

in countries of the Asia-Pacific region and chalk out future action. I further note that

the Agenda includes “Activities Concerning Traditional Food Resources of Indigenous

People in the Region, and their Role in Providing Food Security”, an interesting subject

of profound bearing on comprehensive food and nutrition security as it will be dealing

with variety of foods like legumes, dairy products, meat, fish, vegetables and fruits that

add other essential nutrients in addition to energy to the diet.

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Mr Chairman:

The hungry child can’t wait. It is today that his bones and sinews are being

formed. You can’t tell him tomorrow. “His name is Today.” It is painful that often this

stark reality and urgency is ignored by policy makers, executives and other concerned

actors in national and international systems. I trust, this consultation will critically

identify the constraints and intensify the opportunities toward project development on

establishment of FIVIMS. I urge all concerned to commit themselves to the noblest

cause of granting food to the hungry and hope to the hopeless.

I wish you a successful meeting and a pleasant stay in Bangkok.

Thank you.

*****

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Appendix III

Agenda

1. Overview on FIVIMS implementation--FAO perspective;

2. Review of the country status with regard to implementation of FIVIMS and

identification of future action;

3. Activities concerning traditional food resources of indigenous people in the

region, including case studies and their role in providing food security—Centre

for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment (CINE), McGill University,

Montreal, Canada;

4. Review of the progress at the national level in respect of follow-up on ICN and

WFS; and

5. Any other item with permission of the Chair.

Expected outcomes of the Consultation:

1. Status on FIVIMS implementation updated;

2. Constraints with regard to FIVIMS implementation identified;

3. Approaches toward project development on establishment of FIVIMS

identified;

4. Contribution of traditional food resources of indigenous people toward

achieving food security noted; and

5. Current position in respect of implementation of NPAN and WFS Plan

of Action updated.

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Appendix III (Cont’d)

Timetable

Tuesday 21 November 2000

0830 Registration

Opening of the consultation

0900 Opening remarks, introduction, election of the officers of the meeting,

0915 Opening address by R.B. Singh, Assistant Director-General and

FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific

0930 Refreshment

1000 Objectives, agenda, adoption of agenda and organization of the Consultation;

actions taken by RAP—B.K. Nandi

1015 Global assessments in the context of FIVIMS—Barbara Burlingame

Country examples for FIVIMS establishment—Siemon Hollema

1100 Presentation on KIDS—N. Minamiguchi

1130 Discussion

1200 Lunch (hosted by ADG&RR)

Presentation and discussion on agenda item 2: Review of the country

status with regard to implementation of FIVIMS and identification of future

action:

1320 Bangladesh

1340 India

1400 Nepal

1420 Pakistan

1440 Philippines

1500 Refreshment

1520 Sri Lanka

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1540 Thailand

1600 Viet Nam

1620 Meeting of the rapporteurs

Wednesday 22 November 2000

Continuation of the agenda item 2

0800 China

0830 Cambodia

0900 Lao PDR

0930 Malaysia

1000 Refreshment

1015 Discussion on agenda item 2

1045 Presentation and discussion on agenda item 3: Activities concerning a)

traditional food resources of indigenous people in the region, including

case studies and their role in providing food security—Harriet V.

Kuhnlein, Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment

(CINE), McGill University, Montreal, Canada; b) regional food

composition—Barbara Burlingame

1125 Case study presentation—Suttilak Smitasiri (INMU, Thailand)

1200 Lunch

1330 Case study presentation—Zhai Fengying (China)

1400 Case study presentation—Farhad Mazhar (Bangladesh)

Case study presentation—Salome Yesudas (India)

1430 Refreshment

1445 Formation of working groups

Working group 1: traditional food systems

Facilitator: Harriet V. Kuhnlein

Working group 2: regional food composition activities

Facilitator: Barbara Burlingame

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1515 Working group 1 session

1630 Presentation of the report by the working group 1

1700 Meeting of the rapporteurs

Thursday 23 November 2000

800 Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM)—Mahadevan Ramachandran (WFP)

0900 Working group 2: FIVIMS

Facilitators: Barbara Burlingame

Siemon Hollema

0830 Working group 2 session

1000 Refreshment during the Session

1200 Lunch

1300 Update on ICN—Somchai Peerapakorn (WHO)

1330 Presentation of the report by the working group 2

1430 Refreshment

1445 Country-wise brief review of ICN follow-up activities, priorities for the

network in this context

1630 Preparation of the draft Report of the consultation

Friday 24 November 2000

0830 Presentation on TCP proposal for India—B.K. Taimni

0930 Preparation of the draft report of the consultation

1045 Refreshment

1115 Adoption of the report

1215 Closing remarks by ADG&RR

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Appendix IV

Country status report on establishment and operationalization of FIVIMS

Country Establishment offocalpoint

Conductof brain-stormingsessions

CreationofnationalFIVIMSnetwork/taskforce

Review andassessmentof existingdatabase

Selectionofindicators

Develop-ment ofFIVIMSdesign

Develop-ment ofmanual ofoperations/database

Capacitybuilding

Pilottesting

Institu-tionaliza-tion ofFIVIMSandlinkagewithNPAN

Regularmonitor-ing

Bangladesh Y Y P Y P N N N N N N

Cambodia N N Y P P N N P N N P

China Y N N P N N N N N P N

India Y Y P Y Y Y P N N Y N

Lao PDR N N Y N N N N N N N N

Malaysia Y N N N N N N N N N N

Nepal Y N N N P P N N N N N

Pakistan Y N P P P N N N N N N

Philippines Y Y N Y Y Y Y P N Y N

Sri Lanka Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N Y N

Thailand Y Y Y Y P N N N N P N

Viet Nam Y Y Y Y Y P N N N P N

Y = Yes; P = In Process; N = Not yet