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Vulnerability
Analysis Mapping (VAM) is an information tool developed
by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). It provides
up-to-date information about who the hungry poor are, why
they are vulnerable, and where food aid should be targeted.
VAM consists of a set of methods and tools to assess
and map food security and vulnerability. These can inform
a livelihoods assessment.
When
WFP draws up its emergency and development operations in any
country, its first priority is always to identify the hungry
poor.
VAM helps WFP to inform these decisions through five
activities:
- Geographic
targeting:
assessing the degree of food (in)security of specified geographic
areas, so that WFP can determine where to prioritise response.
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Problem assessment:
understanding the causes of food insecurity and vulnerability
which can exist in a particular geographic region or population
group.
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Beneficiary assessment:
determining the characteristics of food insecure and vulnerable
populations, and whether food assistance can improve their
conditions.
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The role of food aid: identifying whether
the use of food aid represents a comparative advantage in
addressing the basic causes of food insecurity and vulnerability
among a targeted population.
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Advocacy for the hungry poor:
assisting the hungry poor by accurately representing their
conditions to others who may be able to provide assistance
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