South Sudan: Research Terms of Reference - Shocks Monitoring Index (SMI), Research Cycle SSD1902 (February 2021) Format 2.1 Rationale The dynamic and multi-faceted nature of the South Sudanese displacement crisis has created significant challenges for humanitarian information management. As a result of the continued insecurity and overall unpredictability of a sudden onset shock, it is becoming increasingly important to quickly identify and fill information gaps relating to potential areas of severe humanitarian distress in a systematic and timely manner. In October and November 2020, the IPC identified six counties with populations facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. These six counties had experienced large-scale shocks such as ongoing access constraints, conflict, or compounding climate shocks, which had likely resulted in high acute food insecurity. These events illustrate the importance of regular and sustained monitoring different types of shocks in order to identify areas facing a sudden deterioration of humanitarian conditions in order to guide the prioritisation of humanitarian assistance. For the purpose of this monitoring index, a shock is defined as an exogenous event that negatively affects a household or community’s ability to access food, WASH, livelihoods and other essential services such as healthcare.