IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification)

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is a standardized tool used to assess and categorize the severity of food insecurity in a population. It combines data on food availability, access, utilization, and stability to determine a country's or region's current food security situation. The IPC uses a scale from Phase 1 (minimal hunger) to Phase 5 (famine) to guide policymakers and humanitarian efforts. This system helps prioritize responses and allocate resources effectively, ensuring that areas most in need receive appropriate assistance to prevent or address hunger crises.