Joint statement by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) and partners of the Palestine Food Security Sector
The annual Socio-Economic and Food Security (SEFSec) report - carried out by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) in coordination with the Food Security Sector (FSS) and in particular with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the World Food Programme (WFP) has been conducted annually since 2009. In 2013, the agencies initiated a process in order to re-assess the existing SEFSec analysis methodology and consider recommendations for improvement.
The existing SEFSec methodology was designed in 2007 and includes socio-economic analysis, data trending, coping mechanisms, profiling, and impact of assistance analysis amongst other components. Several challenges with the existing methodology prompted the FSS to initiate, early 2014, a revision of the existing methodology to improve the way the SEFSec captures the various dimensions of food insecurity in Palestine (poverty, food consumption and resilience). Due to the complexity of the findings, the sector commissioned additional studies before proceeding with adopting a new SEFSec methodology.
While the revision of the methodology was ongoing, FSS members agreed to conduct two analysis exercises of the 2013 SEFsec results: the first using the existing methodology and the second using the revised methodology. Main results of the 2013 SEFSec, using the existing methodology, were disseminated through a High Level Statement in June 2014.
The results of the additional SEFSec study on the revision of the methodology were submitted to the FSS in August 2014, offering a range of recommendations. Due to the complexity of some of the recommendations and to the exceptional workload faced by sector partners during the conflict in Gaza, the FSS decided that additional analysis and clearance are required before adopting the new methodology. Moreover, the existing methodology as well as the revised one need to be endorsed by national partners in order to create national ownership through wide consultations with the line ministries and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
Food Security Sector partners are committed to lead this process and to apply the chosen methodology to the next SEFSec survey. The next steps are:
National workshop to adopt a new SEFSec methodology, organized by PCBS with support of the sector, including the line ministries
Release of the 2009-2013 SEFSec data including a trend analysis, using the new SEFSec methodology – First quarter 2015 (preliminary date)
Release of 2014 SEFSec report, using the new methodology – Summer 2015 (preliminary date)