The analysis of essential needs, how people meet them and where there are gaps or constraints to meeting them enriches insight into food insecurity, its drivers and how it is connected with meeting other needs. A thorough understanding of essential needs helps in the design of effective food security responses. The WFP essential needs analysis package consists of three guidance notes:
The Essential Needs Assessment Interim Guidance Note guides the reader through the appropriate analytical approaches to profile those who cannot meet their Essential Needs and to monitor outcomes of multi-sectoral programmes
The Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) Interim Guidance Note outlines methodologies for defining a Minimum Expenditure Basket against which to assess economic vulnerability and determine transfer values
The Supply Assessment of Goods and Services for Essential Needs Interim Guidance Note defines if and to what extent markets are able to satisfy Essential Needs.
Find additional resources and key guidance material in French and Spanish here.
For support on essential needs analysis and programming, reach out to global.cbtsupport@wfp.org and global.assessmentandtargeting@wfp.org.