THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD

Published purpose

December 2012 - Typhoon Bopha (local name "Pablo") made landfall on the eastern coast of Mindanao island in southern Philippines on December 5th as a category five typhoon, the most destructive storm to hit the country this year. Typhoon Bopha brought heavy rains and strong winds, leaving a trail of destruction to homes, livelihoods, and critical public infrastructure as it crossed over the southern Philippines. The eastern provinces of Mindanao were the most affected. Established in 1961, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the food assistance arm of the United Nations and is the largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger in the world. With Canada's support, WFP provides emergency life-saving food assistance to an estimated 480,000 typhoon-affected people in Mindanao, Philippines. Activities include the provision of high-energy biscuits and specialised nutritious foods to 80,000 children in the worst-affected areas and 60,000 pregnant and nursing mothers, and food-for-work to clear debris in highly affected areas.