United Nations World Food Programme

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation addressing hunger and promoting food security. Established in 1961, the WFP operates in over 80 countries, providing food assistance to people in need, particularly in emergency situations such as conflicts, natural disasters, and other crises. The organisation’s mission is to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, with the ultimate goal of achieving a world with zero hunger.

History

The WFP was founded in 1961 as a three-year experimental programme by the United Nations General Assembly. In 1965, it was extended to a continuing basis, and since then, it has been at the forefront of the global fight against hunger. Initially, the WFP focused on providing food aid to countries facing emergencies, but over time, it has expanded its scope to include long-term development projects and initiatives to address the root causes of hunger.

Objectives and Strategies

The primary objectives of the United Nations World Food Programme are:

• To save lives and protect livelihoods in emergencies
• To support food security and nutrition and (re)build livelihoods in fragile settings and following emergencies
• To reduce risk and enable people, communities, and countries to meet their own food and nutrition needs
• To reduce undernutrition and break the intergenerational cycle of hunger

To achieve these objectives, the WFP employs various strategies, including:

• Emergency food assistance: Providing food aid to people affected by conflicts, natural disasters, and other crises
• Nutrition support: Addressing malnutrition through targeted interventions, such as providing fortified foods and nutritional supplements
• School meal programmes: Providing school meals to encourage education and improve nutrition among children
• Food for assets: Supporting community-driven projects that build resilience and improve livelihoods
• Capacity strengthening: Working with governments and local partners to enhance their capacity to address hunger and malnutrition

Funding and Partnerships

The WFP relies on voluntary contributions from governments, corporations, and individuals to fund its operations. The organisation’s largest donors include the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the European Commission. In 2020, the WFP received a record-breaking $8.4 billion in funding, driven by the increased need for assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WFP works in partnership with various UN agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society groups, and the private sector to maximise its impact and reach. Key partnerships include collaborations with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and UNICEF.

Nobel Peace Prize

In 2020, the United Nations World Food Programme was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to combat hunger, its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas, and its role in preventing the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict. The Nobel Committee recognised the WFP’s work in providing food assistance to millions of people globally and its leadership in the fight against hunger.

COVID-19 Response

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the WFP stepped up its efforts to address the growing food insecurity caused by the global health crisis. The organisation provided critical food assistance to millions of people affected by the pandemic, particularly in low-income countries and fragile settings. It also worked with governments and partners to ensure the continuity of supply chains and the delivery of essential food and nutrition services.

Operations in India

India is one of the key countries where the WFP operates, focusing on improving food and nutrition security among vulnerable populations. Some of the WFP’s key initiatives in India include:

• Mid-Day Meal Programme: Supporting the Government of India’s school feeding programme, which reaches over 100 million children
• Targeted Public Distribution System: Providing technical assistance to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of India’s food distribution system
• Fortification: Promoting the fortification of staple foods to address micronutrient deficiencies
• Climate resilience: Supporting smallholder farmers in adapting to climate change and improving their livelihoods

The United Nations World Food Programme plays a vital role in the global fight against hunger and malnutrition. Through its diverse range of programmes and initiatives, the WFP provides life-saving assistance to millions of people in need, while also working towards long-term solutions to eradicate hunger. As the world continues to face the challenges of conflict, climate change, and economic instability, the work of the WFP remains as crucial as ever in ensuring that no one is left behind in the quest for a world with zero hunger.