Food and nutrition security is a major focus of regional nutrition programme. Food security includes both physical and economic access to food. Basic components of food security include the following aspects.
Availability: Sufficient quantities of appropriate food are available from domestic production, commercial imports or food assistance on a consistent base.
Access: Adequate income or other resources are available to access appropriate food through home production, buying, exchange, gifts, borrowing or food aid.
Utilization: Food is properly used through appropriate food processing and storage practices, adequate knowledge and application of nutrition and child care practices, and adequate health and sanitation services.
Stability: Adequate food must be obtainable at all times so that access and availability of food is not curtailed by acute or recurring emergencies (sudden crises or seasonal shortages).