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The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), also known as IPC scale, is a tool for improving food security analysis and decision-making. It is a standardised scale that integrates food security, nutrition and livelihood information into a statement about the nature and severity of a crisis and implications for strategic response.^[1]

The IPC was originally developed in 2004 for use in Somalia by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU).^[2] Several national governments and international agencies, including CARE International, European Commission Joint Research Centre (EC JRC), Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), USAID/FEWS NET, Oxfam GB, Save the Children UK/US, and United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), have been working together to adapt it to other food security contexts.^[1]^[3]^[4]

IPC scale

The following table includes a summary of the IPC scale:^[1]^[4]

IPC Phase Number	Phase	Description	Crude Death Rate (per 10,000 people per day)
1	Generally Food Secure	More than 80% of households can meet basic food needs without atypical coping strategies	<0.5
2	Borderline Food Insecure	For at least 20 percent of households, food consumption is reduced but minimally adequate without having to engage in irreversible coping strategies. These households cannot fully meet livelihoods protection needs.	<0.5
3	Acute Food and Livelihood Crisis	At least 20 percent of households have significant food consumption gaps OR are marginally able to meet minimum food needs only with irreversible coping strategies such as liquidating livelihood assets. Levels of acute malnutrition are high and above normal.	0.5-0.99
4	Humanitarian Emergency	At least 20 percent of households face extreme food consumption gaps, resulting in very high levels of acute malnutrition and excess mortality; OR households face an extreme loss of livelihood assets that will likely lead to food consumption gaps.	1-1.99
5	Famine/Humanitarian Catastrophe	At least 20 percent of households face a complete lack of food and/or other basic needs and starvation, death, and destitution are evident; and acute malnutrition prevalence exceeds 30%; and mortality rates exceed 2/10000/day	>2

Notable applications

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has been used in several countries to assess and respond to food insecurity, each presenting unique challenges and responses.

Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, the 2021 IPC analysis highlighted a severe food insecurity crisis, with over 5.5 million people in Tigray, Amhara, and Afar facing high levels of acute food insecurity due to conflict, displacement, and disrupted markets. As of May 2021, approximately 3.1 million were in Crisis (IPC Phase 3), 2.1 million were in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and 353,000 were experiencing Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5).^[5]

Sudan

In Sudan, the April–May 2024 IPC analysis indicated severe food insecurity, with 25.6 million people facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse. A total of 8.5 million are facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4), and 755,000 people - Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5). Key factors include ongoing conflict and limited humanitarian access, particularly in Greater Darfur and Kordofan regions. The analysis warns of possible famine if conditions deteriorate, particularly for displaced populations and refugees in conflict-affected areas.^[6]

Congo

The July–December 2024 IPC analysis for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) indicates severe food insecurity affecting 25.6 million people, categorized as Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse. Among them, 3.1 million face Emergency (IPC Phase 4) conditions, particularly in conflict-impacted provinces like North Kivu, Ituri, and South Kivu. Projected conditions from January to June 2025 suggest similar challenges due to ongoing armed conflict, economic instability, and high food prices. Displaced populations remain especially vulnerable.^[7]

Gaza Strip

IPC scale has been used to monitor the humanitarian situation in Gaza since the beginning of Israel–Hamas war. According to the September-October 2024 IPC report, 1.84 million people facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse conditions, but only 6 percent of Gazans face IPC Phase 5 food insecurity, the lowest figure reported since the start of the war.^[8] Access to food has improved in some areas following more consistent aid efforts and better food distribution despite persistent challenges tied to infrastructure damage and ongoing conflict.^[9]

Somalia

As of July-September 2024, an estimated 4.4 million people in Somalia are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), with around 1.6 million children likely to suffer from acute malnutrition. While recent rainfall improved agricultural conditions, localized floods and ongoing conflict still hinder food access and agricultural production. Despite these challenges, there is a slight improvement from the previous year. The IPC’s projections for October-December 2024 suggest ongoing needs for humanitarian assistance, particularly for vulnerable populations in crisis and emergency phase.^[10]

Yemen

The latest IPC analysis for Yemen, covering July 2024 to February 2025, highlights severe food insecurity affecting nearly half of the population in government-controlled areas. From July to September 2024, about 4.7 million people faced Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels of food insecurity. The economic decline, persistent conflict, and irregular humanitarian aid remain key drivers of food insecurity, worsened by recent floods in August 2024. A marginal improvement is anticipated, but humanitarian aid is crucial to prevent further deterioration.^[11]

Key challenges and limitations

The challenges of the IPC scale include data quality issues, particularly in conflict zones or areas with limited access for data collection. This often leads to reliance on available but sometimes unreliable data. There are also challenges with subjective interpretation, as expert judgment is required in cases where data is sparse or inconsistent. Furthermore, the IPC’s reliance on evidence convergence means that contradictory data can arise, complicating consensus-building and analysis.^[12]