Improving food security monitoring and vulnerability assessment capabilities

Among other findings the team found that there already is a good foundation in terms of government institutions and data-gathering activity, but a significant amount of work needs to be done in order to build a consolidated, functioning food security information system. To strengthen Angola"s food security information system it is recommended that Gabinete de Seguranca Alimentar (GSA, i.e., Cabinet of Food Security) is provided with a clear mandate to design and implement the National Food Security Information System as a truly multi-sectoral and multi disciplinary system. The tools suggested to support GSA in this process in the short and medium term, include: (1) improved coordination through strengthening the national technical food security coordination committee (hereafter referred to as VAC) and the creation of provincial food security committees (PVACs); (2) strengthening of sectoral information systems (in the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Planning, Social Reinsertion, Agricultural Development Institute, National Meteorological Institute, National Institute for Statistics) at central and provincial levels; and (3) strengthening of GSA, with special reference to human resources. (Author abstract, modified)