ICT and Food Security: Case of GIS in Food Emergency Response

This paper presents a framework for food emergency response and demonstrates the use of Geographical Information Systems as a solution to planning for and managing food emergencies. This is particularly critical in countries such Kenya where there is no unified communication framework to facilitate the management of food emergencies. The research contextualized the WHO/FAO Multiagency Coordination Group Framework to the Kenyan situation, established information essential to the resolution of food emergencies, and developed a GIS system that can be used for early warning, monitoring, surveillance and logistics in times of emergency. The prototype was tested with data obtained from relevant government agencies. This research aimed to address the effects of famine so that it is least felt as a result of well-coordinated food emergency response. The solution can be adapted not only in other countries but also in other emergencies. The framework can be a key element of a national policy on food emergency response particularly in those countries where there is none.