The Politics of Information and Analysis in Famines and Extreme Emergencies: Synthesis of Findings from Six Case Studies

Abstract

The ability to predict and analyze famine has improved sharply in the past 15 years, but even as analytical capacity has improved, the political influences on data collection and analysis in famine and extreme food security emergencies have limited evidence-based prevention and response. In many crises, good quality data are not always readily available, and both data collection and analysis processes have been undermined, distorted and in some cases shut down for political reasons. Sometimes governments or armed groups are the party influencing results for political ends, but it can also be agencies, donors, and even local leaders. This study documents those political influences, noting separate influence on data collection and analysis processes and the way these play out. Famine analysis will never be free of political influences, but this study recommends good practice for better managing political influences