In 2008, when food prices roseprecipitously to record highs, international attention andlocal policy in many countries focused on safety nets aspart of the response. Now that food prices are high again,the issue of appropriate responses is again on the policyagenda. This note sets out a framework for making quick,qualitative assessments of how well countries' safetynets prepare them for a rapid policy response to rising foodprices should the situation warrant. The framework isapplied using data from spring 2011, presenting a snap?shotanalysis of what is a dynamically changing situation. Basedon this data safety net readiness is assessed in 13vulnerable countries based on the following criteria: thepresence of safety net programs, program coverage,administrative capacity, and to a lesser degree, targetingeffectiveness. It is argued that these criteria will remainthe same throughout time, even if the sample countriesaffected will be expected to vary. Based on this analysisthe note highlights that though a number of countries aremore prepared than they were in 2008, there is still asignificant medium term agenda on safety net preparedness inthe face of crisis. In this context, strategic lessons fromthe 2008 food crisis response are presented to betterunderstand the response options and challenges facinggovernments and policy makers. The note concludes by callingfor continued investment and scale up of safety nets tomitigate poverty impacts and help prevent long term setbacksin nutrition and poverty.
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