Shapefiles
To map FEWS NET Food Insecurity Classification (FIC) data, FEWS NET uses a C series level coding scheme and shapefiles to map FIC data. Learn more about FEWS NET’s unique ID structure (FNIDs).
There are three types of C series shapefiles used to map FIC data:
C1 Admin level: In most cases, the C1 shapefiles should be identical to an administrative shapefile (A series) FEWS NET has cleaned and uploaded either on the website or the FEWS NET Data Warehouse (FDW).
C2 Livelihood Zone (LHZ): C2 shapefiles are identical to livelihood zones (L series). This is the least common food security mapping unit type and has historically only been used in a few countries.
C3 Combined Admin/Livelihood Zone: C3 Shapefiles are an intersection of Admin and livelihood zones.
Production of C3 shapefiles
The DSA, country Food Security Analyst, and field staff will discuss the level of Admin unit to be used to map FIC data with the LHZ.
Use the cleaned FEWS NET admin and corresponding LHZ boundaries shapefiles from the FEWS NET GIS verified shapefiles library.
Livelihood zone boundaries are sliced by the district boundaries to create C3 polygons. Clean up and remove slivers, gaps, and overlaps in the polygons using ArcGIS tools such as Union and Identify. All livelihood zone shapefiles should be cleaned as follows:
The shapefile polygons should not include any slivers or overlaps.
The shapefiles should match up with standard international boundaries.
The boundaries for livelihood zones should match with sub-national boundaries where they are intended to do so.
Cleaned shapefiles should include the following fields. Additional fields can be added as needed.
Field Name | Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
FNID | Text | Unique Alpha-numeric ID (COUNTY + YEAR + “C3” + Admin code + LHZ code). | AF2018C3010108 |
EFF_YEAR | Short Integer | Year when the shapefile intersect is being created. | 2018 |
COUNTRY | Text | 2 letter ISO code for the country. | AF |
ADMIN0 | Text | Full country name. | Afghanistan |
ADMIN1 | Text | Name of Admin 1 in English. | |
ADMIN2 | Text | Name of Admin 2 in English, if applicable. | |
LZCODE | Text | This should match the LHZ code provided in the LHZ shapefiles. | |
LZNAME | Text | This should match the LHZ name provided in the LHZ shapefiles. | |
FNID_OLD | Text | If applicable. In most cases, add 0. | |
EFF_PERD | Integer | The quarter in which FEWS NET adapted this shapefile. |
Uploading shapefiles
To upload shapefiles in the FDW, follow the steps below:
Select Metadata Management > Spatial > Geographic Unit Set Versions.
Select the Add Geographic Unit Set Version button.
Complete the information as follows:
In the Geographic Unit Set dropdown menu, select the items that matches the shapefile Country + FEWS NET Admin Boundaries. For example, Mali FEWS NET Admin Boundaries.
The Start date should be January 1 of the year of this shapefile version. For example, 2023-01-01.
The End date will be December 31 of the year before the next version of this shapefile. For example, 2022-12-31. If there is no newer shapefile version, the End date will be left blank.
Click Choose File and select the zipped version of your shapefiles. Shapefiles must be uploaded in a zipped format.
Click one of the Save options.
