IPC stands for the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a multi-partner initiative for improving food security and decision-making. By using the IPC classification and analytical approach, governments, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society and other relevant actors, work together to determine the severity and magnitude of acute and chronic food insecurity, and acute malnutrition situations in a country, according to internationally-recognized scientific standards.
The IPC acute food insecurity scale consists of five classifications:
- minimal/none
- stressed
- crisis
- emergency
- catastrophe/famine
IPC scales for acute malnutrition and chronic food insecurity also exist. The IPC classifications are internationally recognized methods to classify the extent and severity of malnutrition and hunger and to derive necessary relief measures.