The Goal of the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) is to strengthen the abilities of African countries and regional organizations to manage risk of food insecurity through the provision of timely and analytical early warning and vulnerability information. FEWS NET is a USAID-funded activity that collaborates with international, national, and regional partners to provide timely and rigorous early warning and vulnerability information on emerging or evolving food security issues. FEWS NET professionals in the US and Africa monitor various data and information--including remotely sensed data and ground-based meteorological, crop and rangeland conditions--as early indications of potential threats to food security.