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World Food Programme (WFP) – Structure, Activities, India’s Role

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World Food Programme (WFP)

  • The World Food Programme aims to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. 
  • It is the food-assistance branch of the United Nations
  • It is the world’s largest humanitarian agency addressing hunger and promoting food security.
    • It provides food assistance to an average of 91.4 million people in 83 countries each year.
  • It focuses on emergency relief, assisting in development and social operation. The WFP works in conflict-affected countries as well as where hunger and malnutrition are most likely.
  • The World Food Program (WFP) is a joint program of the United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 
  • It was founded in December 1961 and began its activities in 1963.
    • Established in 1961 jointly by the FAO and the UN General Assembly, it became a full-fledged UN programme in 1965.
    • WFP launched its first programme in 1963 in Sudan

It was created, on a three-year experimental basis, by concurrent resolutions of the FAO Conference (Resolution 1/61) and the UN General Assembly (Resolution 1714(XIV)), adopted respectively on 24 November and 19 December 1961. Provision for its continuation “as long as multilateral food aid is found feasible and desirable” was made in concurrent resolutions of the FAO Conference (Resolution 4/65) and the UN General Assembly (Resolution 2095(XX)), adopted respectively on 6 and 20 December 1965.

  • Goal: It is dedicated to ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving nutrition by 2030.
  • Headquarter: WFP has its Headquarters in FAO in Rome. 
  • WFP is a member of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)p/
  • Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 
  • WFP works with governments, other United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, private companies and others to mobilize resources, find innovative solutions and reach vulnerable communities with the assistance they need.

Structure & Governance

  • The World Food Programme (WFP) is governed by the WFP Executive Board, which consists of 36 Member States and provides intergovernmental support, direction and supervision of activities.
  • WFP is headed by an Executive Director, who is appointed jointly by the UN Secretary-General and the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 
  • The Executive Director is appointed for fixed five-year terms and is responsible for the administration of WFP as well as the implementation of its programmes, projects and other activities.

Funding

WFP is entirely funded by voluntary donations from governments, corporates and individuals

WFP’s Activities

  • Preventing and mitigating famine – WFP has the expertise, deep-field presence and operational scale to stop famine in its tracks, and steer people away from the edge of starvation
  • Responding in life-saving situations – Every year, WFP assists millions of people affected by conflict, climate change, and other cataclysmic events. 
  • Providing life-changing solutions – WFP helps communities build resilience to climate extremes and other shocks, strengthens food systems, supports smallholder farmers, invests in school-based programmes, and tackles malnutrition.
  • Building pathways to stability and peace – WFP assistance is not just a lifeline for people trapped in conflict or on the run after being forced out of their homes. It can also be the first step towards peace, helping to ease tensions that could escalate into conflict.
  • Supporting governments – WFP supports governments in building their capacity to manage disaster risk and improve food security. We also provide technical and operational support to strengthen national social protection systems.
  • Investing in innovation and digital transformation – WFP harnesses new technologies to improve response in emergencies and the responsible use of data to achieve zero hunger by 2030.
  • Logistics and Supply Chain- Runs the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) for transport of aid workers and relief goods.
  • Food Security & Development- Provides cash-based transfers, vouchers, and capacity building for food supply chains.
    • Promotes smallholder farmer support.

Do you Know?

The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), managed by the World Food Programme (WFP), offers safe, reliable, cost-efficient and effective passenger and light cargo transport for the wider humanitarian community to and from areas of crisis. It is the only humanitarian air service that gives equal access to all humanitarian entities.

Do you Know?

  • WFP addresses all forms of malnutrition – from vitamin and mineral deficiencies to overweight and obesity – focusing especially on young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people living with HIV. 
  • WFP is the largest humanitarian organization implementing school meal programmes. 
  • WFP is the largest provider of cash assistance in the humanitarian community, working with wholesalers and retailers to increase food availability and ensure fair prices. 
  • WFP supports smallholder farmers in accessing resources and improving post-harvest handling. 
  • Provides food aid during conflicts, natural disasters, and pandemics.
  • WFP offset the impact of extreme weather through measures including Forecast-based Financing. This provides communities with funds before a disaster, giving them time and resources to prepare and protect their lives and livelihoods – for example evacuating livestock, reinforcing homes or buying food and essential items.

FAQs 

1. What is the World Food Programme (WFP)?

WFP is the the world’s largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger and promoting food security.

2. When was WFP established?

WFP was founded in 1961 by the FAO and UNGA and became a full-fledged UN programme in 1965.

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