THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD

Published purpose

CIDA's unearmarked contribution to the Immediate Response Account (IRA) provides the World Food Programme (WFP) with the flexibility to determine where food needs are the greatest, usually following a rapid onset crisis or natural disaster. Given that WFP is entirely voluntarily funded, it depends on donors in order to respond to the immediate food aid needs of affected populations during humanitarian crises or natural disasters. The IRA therefore plays a critical role in filling in funding gaps, to ensure that the basic food aid needs of the most vulnerable populations are met in a timely manner. Provision of support to the IRA strengthens humanitarian agencies' rapid response capacity. This contribution allows WFP to make funding decisions based on wherever needs are the greatest.