> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.humdata.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.humdata.org/about/hdx-signals/datasets/inform-severity-index.md). # INFORM Severity Index Signals are sent when the national level INFORM Severity Index is above 3 and exceeds the highest value recorded in the past 12 months. ## Source We monitor the [INFORM Severity Index (ACAPS)](https://www.acaps.org/en/thematics/all-topics/inform-severity-index) data. The INFORM Severity Index is a composite indicator designed to measure the severity of humanitarian crises globally, against a common scale. It aggregates data from various sources to categorise all crises into five levels of severity: * **Level 5:** Extreme humanitarian conditions. People are facing extreme shortages or availability and accessibility problems in regards to basic services. * **Level 4:** Severe humanitarian conditions. People are facing significant shortages and/or significant availability and accessibility problems in regards to basic services. * **Level 3:** Moderate humanitarian conditions. People are facing shortages and/or availability and accessibility problems in regards to basic services but they are not life-threatening. * **Level 2:** Stressed humanitarian conditions. People are facing some shortages or/and some availability and accessibility problems in regards to basic services. * **Level 1:** None/Minor humanitarian conditions. People are facing none or minor shortages or/and accessibility problems regarding basic services. People with identified humanitarian needs are included in levels 3–5, depending on the severity of their needs. You can access ACAPS data directly on [HDX](https://data.humdata.org/organization/acaps) and find additional datasets and context on the [ACAPS website](https://www.acaps.org/en/). ## Signals detection The INFORM Severity Index is calculated for each crisis covered. In order to generate Signals at the country level, we aggregate crisis-level data to the national level. Signals are sent when the national level INFORM Severity Index is above 3 and exceeds the highest value recorded in the past 12 months. #### Examples Below are historical examples that show how signals are generated using the INFORM Severity Index:\ [Nigeria](http://eepurl.com/jaCrHc#NGA): In January 2025, the INFORM Severity Index reached 4, a value higher than any time in the previous year.\ [Malawi](http://eepurl.com/jaCrtg#MWI): In May 2024, the INFORM severity index reached 3.6, the highest value in the previous year. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.humdata.org/about/hdx-signals/datasets/inform-severity-index.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.