UN WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

Published purpose

January 2026 – When people are affected by sudden crises, whether conflict, insecurity, or natural disaster, access to food is one of the most immediate and critical needs that they face. The World Food Programme (WFP) is the United Nations’ frontline agency in the fight against hunger. It responds to emergencies and saves lives by quickly getting food assistance to crisis-affected populations. WFP also provides common services to humanitarian agencies by transporting humanitarian workers and light cargo and conducting emergency medical and security evacuations. With Global Affairs Canada’s support, WFP provides targeted emergency food assistance to crisis-affected populations to reduce acute food insecurity and malnutrition and protect livelihoods. Project activities include: (1) distributing food and cash-based transfers; (2) providing supplementary feeding for children under the age of 5 years, as well as pregnant and lactating women and girls; and (3) providing logistical support to humanitarian agencies and enabling access to the most remote and hard-to-reach locations. This project is responding to emergency needs in Sub-Saharan Africa, including refugees in Burundi, people affected by flooding in Mozambique, and by cyclones in Madagascar.