The World Food Programme, established in 1961, combats global hunger by providing emergency food aid, cash assistance, nutritional support, and school meals. Despite severe US funding cuts, WFP partners with governments and NGOs to advance sustainable development and the Zero Hunger goal globally, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.
Copyright infringement not intended
The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) is set to close its southern Africa office following Trump's aid cuts, which resulted in half its budget being cut from the US last year.
It is the world's largest humanitarian organization dedicated to combating hunger and promoting food security globally.
Established by the United Nations in 1961, WFP operates in over 120 countries to provide emergency food assistance.
It supports sustainable development, and achieves the "Zero Hunger" goal by 2030 as part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Core Functions and Objectives
Emergency Response
WFP serves as a first responder in emergencies caused by conflict, climate-related disasters, pandemics, and other crises. They deliver food and aid to affected populations and use early-warning systems to prepare communities for impending disasters.
Sustainable Development
WFP works to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity by supporting long-term development and helping communities recover from crises and build resilience against future shocks.
School Meals
As the largest humanitarian organization implementing school meal programs worldwide, WFP improves nutrition and boosts human capital by encouraging education through these programs.
Nutritional Support
WFP addresses all forms of malnutrition, focusing on vulnerable groups like young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Support for Smallholder Farmers
WFP assists smallholder farmers by providing resources, training, and market access to improve productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.
Cash Assistance
WFP is the largest provider of cash assistance in the humanitarian sector, using cash transfers to empower people, strengthen local economies, and increase food availability.
|
In 2023, WFP reached over 100 million people with food assistance and disbursed approximately US$2.8 billion in cash-based transfers to about 51.6 million people. |
Working
WFP collaborates with governments, NGOs, and other partners to maximize impact and address the root causes of hunger.
WFP also manages the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) and the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD), which are crucial for humanitarian operations.
WFP is entirely funded by voluntary contributions from governments, organizations, corporations, and individuals.
|
WFP received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas, and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict. |
Must Read Articles:
Source:
|
PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Discuss the role of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in achieving food security in India. What systemic reforms are needed to reduce leakage and corruption? 250 words |
© 2025 iasgyan. All right reserved
