THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD

Published purpose

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the United Nations’ frontline agency in the fight against hunger. It responds to emergencies, saves lives by quickly getting food to the hungry, and works to help prevent hunger in the future. In humanitarian emergencies, WFP focuses on providing targeted food assistance to reduce acute malnutrition and food insecurity, and to protect livelihoods. As the global lead agency for logistics and emergency telecommunications, WFP also plays a major role in providing common services for the humanitarian community. It transports passengers undertaking humanitarian work, carries light cargo for humanitarian agencies, and carries out emergency medical and security evacuations. Project activities include: (1) distributing food; (2) providing supplementary feeding for children under five years of age as well as pregnant and lactating women; (3) supporting emergency school feeding programs; (4) giving vouchers and cash transfers for food; and (5) providing food for work. With the support of GAC and other donors, WFP is providing emergency food assistance to more than 90 million people facing famine, malnutrition and severe food insecurity.