FEWS NET offers a range of information products, tools and services to provide decision-makers with the up-to-date information necessary to avert or mitigate the impact of a food security hazard.

World Wide Web. The FEWS NET web site (www.fews.net) is the activity?s primary global vehicle for disseminating information. Regional and national monthly food security updates appear on the site along with other information and technical materials.

Vulnerability and food security assessments. FEWS NET undertakes livelihoods and food security assessments using a livelihoods approach. These assessments provide an improved context to understand the effects on particular groups and households of current and potential hazards such as drought, floods, crop and livestock disease or changes in food and other commodity prices.

Food security alerts, updates and briefings. Regular and ad hoc alerts, updates and briefings provide in-country decision-makers, USAID, United Nations, NGOs and other donors with the latest information on potential food security threats.

Data dissemination and analysis. Remotely-sensed and ground-based early warning data are collected, analyzed and disseminated on an ongoing basis.

Capacity strengthening. To promote sustainability, FEWS NET provides technical assistance to national and regional early warning systems. Areas of assistance include early warning techniques and tools, food security and vulnerability assessment methods, and contingency and response planning.

Cooperation and methodology improvement. FEWS NET collaborates with agencies at the international (FAO, WFP, and EU), regional (SADC, CILSS, IGAD, Drought Monitoring Center), and national levels to improve early warning and vulnerability analysis methodologies.