PRISM

Information management is a core function of sound decision-making for policy-makers. It is the basis for effective targeting, programme design as well as the most efficient use of resources. In practice, however, data collection and management is challenging, and in Cambodia, this is no exception. Information is fragmented, siloed within Ministries and often in databases that make it difficult for information to be used for decision-making and planning. Information is also disconnected from response and service delivery mechanisms.

With the support of the Innovation Accelerator, WFP Cambodia is developing PRISM; a smart, responsive information and service delivery systems that build the foundation for shock resistant social safety nets, ensuring improved resilience of communities across Cambodia. PRISM’s strength is its ability to create flexible and highly integrated systems. The ‘PRISM’ project is developing a data connector (hub) that sits in the middle of key information exchanges, providing the flexibility to draw from a variety of sources and input data to map-based platforms/dashboards. Its strength is the ability to create flexible and highly integrated systems to effectively inform Government decision-makers.

During 2016, WFP trained 83 people in the use of tablets and resource maps for the collection of data related to education and emergency information systems, with all information reported on a provincial decision support system. As PRISM is also the main system for collecting ‘school standards’, information can be gathered, relating to aspects of school performance, covering hundreds of schools housing 13,945 primary school children.

Given the success of the pilot, several government ministries have requested a scale-up of PRISM. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport requested an agreement with WFP Cambodia for nationwide scale-up as soon as possible, naming WFP as the primary service provider for their information systems.
Furthermore, the National Committee for Disaster Management has asked for the pilot’s scale-up in 4 provinces, turning PRISM into the primary tool for the emergency information system in one-fifth of the country.