CONTEXT AND PURPOSE

Close collaboration between the agencies of the United Nations is essential for an effective emergency response. In order to facilitate this collaboration, Memoranda of Understanding have been signed by several United Nations agencies; these agreements aim to clarify roles and responsibilities in emergency relief and rehabilitation programmes, and outline commitments to joint activities within agency competencies.

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide practical tools for estimating food and nutritional needs of populations in emergency situations. In particular, these goals include to:

· provide practical operational guidelines for United Nations³ and other agency staff involved in planning a basic general food ration for emergency situations;

· estimate the food and nutritional needs for vulnerable groups;

· provide a clear outline of the main factors to take into consideration when planning an adequate ration; and

· provide a framework for training activities and/or supporting ongoing training activities related to planning food assistance.

³ The guidelines are based on the recommendations of the relevant technical United Nations agencies, specifically WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).