Metadata Standards

The data within the warehousing system and those shown in the FEWS NET Data Explorer (FDE) are structured using flexible metadata settings that help gather the data consistently in time and space. Where possible, we use the following standardization guidelines to define metadata:

• Countries: ISO 3166

• Geographic Groups: These groupings of countries or regions are based on the UN M49 classifications.

• Regions: These groupings of countries or regions are based on the FEWS NET regional classifications. These are similar, but not identical, to the UN M49 geographic regions and use the M49 code values between 900 and 999. Commonly used regions include:

  • 901: West Africa

  • 902: East Africa

  • 903: Southern Africa

  • 904: Latin American and the Caribbean

  • 905: Middle East and Asia

  • 906: International (all other countries not monitored by FEWS NET)

  • 911: FEWS NET Presence Countries

  • 912: FEWS NET Remote Monitoring Countries

  • 913: Horn of Africa

  • 914: El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua

• Geographic Units: Each geographic unit is assigned a unique FEWS NET ID (FNID). Learn more about how FNIDs are constructed.

• Currencies: ISO 4127

• Products: UN CPC v2 with FEWS NET specific extensions

All data viewable within the FDE contain the following standard metadata, in addition to metadata specific to the domain:

• Data Source

• Indicator

• Geographic Unit

Data Usage Policies are defined as follows:

• Public: The source data may be made available on the public website for analysis by anyone.

• Restricted: The source data will only be visible to users that have been specifically granted permission to use it (or who are Superusers).

• FEWS NET Only: The source data will only be visible to FEWS NET staff. The results of the analysis may be published.

• Early Warning Analysis Only: For Early Warning Analysis Only.