World Food Programme

Food assistance in emergencies and recovery

WFP is a United Nations humanitarian programme headquartered in Rome, Italy, with operations across countries and regions. It works with governments, communities, other UN agencies and humanitarian partners to help people affected by conflict, displacement, disasters and economic shocks.

Its work combines emergency assistance with support for livelihoods and food systems. Depending on local conditions, assistance may involve food, cash or vouchers. Longer-term activities include school meals, support for smallholder farmers, stronger social protection systems and preparation for climate-related shocks. The approach therefore connects immediate food needs with the conditions that enable households to obtain adequate food over time.

Sources: [1], [2], [3].

Nutrition throughout vulnerable periods

WFP’s nutrition programmes emphasize prevention and respond to malnutrition when it occurs. Priority populations include young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people whose health conditions increase nutritional vulnerability. The organization works with governments to strengthen nutrition programmes and make nutritious diets more accessible.

In emergencies, this can include specialized nutritious foods and support for services that identify and address malnutrition. In other settings, food fortification, social protection and stronger food systems are part of the response. The choice between food assistance and transfers depends on factors such as functioning markets and the availability of appropriate foods; the same intervention is not suitable in every context.

Sources: [4].

Connections with HIV care and school health

WFP’s HIV work addresses the overlap between food insecurity, nutrition and access to care. It supports people living with HIV and their households through approaches adapted to fragile settings and national systems. Its programme materials describe food or transfer assistance and links with social protection that can help households meet needs associated with continuing care.

WFP is also included in the UNESCO-chaired Inter-Agency Group on School Health and Nutrition. The partnership connects education, nutrition and health planning across participating agencies. This complements WFP’s school meals work and its support for governments developing their own programmes.

A retained historical UN Global Mobility Programme member list names WFP; it does not establish present membership.

Sources: [5], [6], [7].

Sources

1. WFP: identity, humanitarian mandate and partnerships
2. WFP: headquarters contact
3. WFP: areas of work
4. WFP: nutrition and ending malnutrition
5. WFP: HIV, food security and nutrition
6. UNESCO: Inter-Agency Group on School Health and Nutrition
7. UN Global Mobility Programme: retained historical member list