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{{Short description|Food-assistance branch of the UN}}
{{Redirect|WFP}}
{{Primary sources|date=October 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox organization
| logo                = World Food Programme Logo Simple.svg
| logo_size           = 160px
| image               =
| name                = World Food Programme
| map                 =
| map_size            =
| map_caption         = The World Food Programme [[logo]] and WFP [[headquarters]] in Rome
| type                = [[Intergovernmental organization]], [[regulatory body]], [[advisory board]]
| abbreviation        = WFP
| leader_title        = Executive Director
| leader_name         = [[Cindy McCain]]
| leader_title2       = Deputy Executive Director
| leader_name2        = Carl Skau
| status              = Active
| formation           = {{start date and age|19 December 1961|paren=yes}}
| headquarters        = [[Rome]], Italy
| staff               = 22,300+<ref>{{cite web |title=WFP at a glance |url=https://www.wfp.org/stories/wfp-glance |publisher=World Food Programme |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref>
| staff_year          = 2023
| awards              = [[Nobel Peace Prize]] ([[Nobel Peace Prize 2020|2020]])
| website             = [https://www.wfp.org wfp.org]
| parent_organization = [[United Nations General Assembly]]
| subsidiaries        = 
| footnotes           = {{portal-inline|Politics|size=tiny}}
}}
[[File:WFP World Food Programme sack Gaza strip.jpg|thumb|Empty sack of the World Food Programme]]
The '''World Food Programme'''{{efn|{{langx|fr|Programme alimentaire mondial}}; {{langx|it|Programma alimentare mondiale}}; {{langx|es|Programa Mundial de Alimentos}}; {{langx|ar|برنامج الأغذية العالمي|translit=barnamaj al'aghdhiat alealami}}; {{langx|ru|Всемирная продовольственная программа|translit=Vsemirnaya prodovol'stvennaya programma}}; {{lang-zh |s = 世界粮食计划署 |p = Shìjiè Liángshí Jìhuà Shǔ }}}} ('''WFP''') is an [[international organization]] within the [[United Nations]] (UN) that provides [[aid|food assistance]] worldwide. It is the world's largest [[humanitarian]] organization<ref>{{Cite web |title=WFP: $6.8bn needed in six months to avert famine amid COVID-19|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/13/wfp-6-8bn-needed-in-six-months-to-avert-famine-amid-covid-19|access-date=2020-10-15|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Church of Jesus Christ Gives US$32 Million to the World Food Programme|url=https://www.newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-of-jesus-christ-32-million-world-food-programme|date=31 May 2022 |access-date=2022-10-10|website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org/|language=en}}</ref> and the leading provider of school meals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Novo Nordisk Foundation and World Food Programme launch partnership to improve food systems in Rwanda and Uganda|url=https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/novo-nordisk-foundation-and-world-food-programme-launch-partnership-to-improve-food-systems-in-rwanda-and-uganda-301643929.html|date=31 May 2022 |access-date=2022-10-10|website=www.prnewswire.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> Founded in 1961, WFP is headquartered in [[Rome]] and has offices in 87 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Where we work {{!}} World Food Programme |url=https://www.wfp.org/countries#:~:text=The%20World%20Food%20Programme%20(WFP,over%20120%20countries%20and%20territories. |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=www.wfp.org |language=en}}</ref> In 2023 it supported over 152 million people,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=WFP Annual Performance Report for 2023 |url=https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000159843/download/?_ga=2.69383573.409371170.1727453130-1819321178.1727453130 |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=WFP}}</ref> and it is present in more than 120 countries and territories.<ref>{{cite web |author = WFP |title = Who we are |url = https://www.wfp.org/who-we-are |access-date= 6 October 2022|website=WFP}}</ref>

In addition to emergency food relief, WFP offers technical and development assistance, such as building capacity for emergency preparedness and response, managing supply chains and logistics, promoting [[Social safety net|social safety programs]], and strengthening resilience against [[climate change]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=How scientists predict famine before it hits|url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220525-how-scientists-predict-famine-before-it-hits|date=31 May 2022 |access-date=2022-10-10|website=BBC News|language=en}}</ref> It is also a major provider of direct cash assistance, and provides passenger services for humanitarian workers through its management of the [[United Nations Humanitarian Air Service]] (UNHAS).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=WFP: $6.8bn needed in six months to avert famine amid COVID-19|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/13/wfp-6-8bn-needed-in-six-months-to-avert-famine-amid-covid-19|access-date=2020-10-15|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Afp|date=2020-10-09|title=World Food Programme {{!}} Five things to know about 2020 Nobel Peace Prize winner|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world-food-programme-five-things-to-know-about-2020-nobel-peace-prize-winner/article32813515.ece|access-date=2020-10-15|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

WFP is an executive member of the [[United Nations Sustainable Development Group]],<ref>
The organization has been awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] 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 food as a weapon of war and conflict
[http://www.undg.org/index.cfm?P=23 Executive Committee] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511150052/http://www.undg.org/index.cfm?P=23|date=11 May 2011}}. Undg.org. Retrieved on 15 January 2012
</ref> a consortium of UN entities that aims to fulfil the 17 [[Sustainable Development Goals]] (SDG), with a priority to achieve [[Sustainable Development Goal 2|SDG 2]], "zero hunger", by 2030.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Zero Hunger|url=https://www.wfp.org/zero-hunger|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009110708/https://www.wfp.org/zero-hunger|archive-date=9 October 2020|access-date=10 October 2020|website=World Food Program}}</ref>

The World Food Programme was awarded the [[2020 Nobel Peace Prize|Nobel Peace Prize in 2020]] for its efforts to provide food assistance in areas of conflict and to prevent the use of food as a weapon of war and conflict.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Specia|first1=Megan|last2=Stevis-Gridneff|first2=Matina|date=2020-10-09|title=World Food Program Awarded Nobel Peace Prize for Work During Pandemic|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/09/world/2020-nobel-peace-prize.html|access-date=2020-10-10|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011161012/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/09/world/2020-nobel-peace-prize.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
WFP was established in 1961<ref>{{cite web|title=UN Food Programme – History|url=https://www.wfp.org/history|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009104141/https://www.wfp.org/history|archive-date=9 October 2020|access-date=9 October 2020|publisher=World Food Program}}</ref> after the 1960 [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] (FAO) Conference, when [[George McGovern]], director of the US [[Food for Peace]] Programmes, proposed establishing a multilateral food aid programme. WFP launched its first programmes in 1963 by the FAO and the [[United Nations General Assembly]] on a three-year experimental basis, supporting the [[Nubians|Nubian population]] at [[Wadi Halfa]] in Sudan. In 1965, the programme was extended to a continuing basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://library.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/widget/file/zalite_wfp_unday2013_0.pdf|title=World Food Programme – An Overview|author=Elga Zalite|website=Stanford University Library|access-date=9 October 2020|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002064413/https://library.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/widget/file/zalite_wfp_unday2013_0.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Background ==
WFP works across a broad spectrum of [[Sustainable Development Goals]].<ref name=":0" /> [[Food security|Food shortages]], [[hunger]], [[malnutrition]], and [[foodborne illness]] lead to poor health, which affects other areas of sustainable development, such as education, employment, and poverty (Sustainable Development Goals [[Sustainable Development Goal 4|Four]], [[Sustainable Development Goal 8|Eight]], and [[Sustainable Development Goal 1|One]] respectively).<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |title=A global food crisis |url=https://www.wfp.org/global-hunger-crisis |publisher=World Food Programme |access-date=6 October 2021}}</ref>

==Funding==
WFP operations are primarily funded by voluntary donations by governments worldwide, along with contributions from corporations and private donors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wfp.org/funding-and-donors|title=Funding and donors|website=www.wfp.org|access-date=9 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009104017/https://www.wfp.org/funding-and-donors|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, funding reached a record USD 14.1 billion—up by almost 50 percent from 2021—against an operational funding need of USD 21.4 billion. The United States was the largest donor.<ref>{{Cite web|title=WFP Annual Performance Report for 2022|url=https://www.wfp.org/publications/annual-performance-report-2022|access-date=11 July 2023|website=WFP|date=27 June 2023 }}</ref>

In 2023, the WFP received USD 8.3 billion in funding, likely marking the first time since 2010 that funding decreased from the previous year, creating a funding gap of 64%.<ref name=":1" />

In February 2025, the WFP received directives from the U.S. to halt operations on numerous U.S.-funded grants, despite an emergency waiver issued by Secretary of State [[Marco Rubio]] intended to allow essential food assistance to continue. These grants, managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are valued at tens of millions of dollars and are instrumental in providing food aid to countries such as Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Haiti, and Mali. The suspension encompasses several projects under the Food for Peace Title II program, which annually allocates approximately $2 billion for the donation of U.S. commodities and constitutes a significant portion of U.S. international food assistance. This program is jointly administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and USAID.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WFP receives dozens of US stop work orders despite emergency waiver |url=https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/world-news/836218/wfp-receives-dozens-of-us-stop-work-orders-despite-emergency-waiver/en |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=LBCIV7 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025 |title=UN food agency WFP received dozens of US stop work orders despite emergency waiver |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/un-food-agency-wfp-received-dozens-us-stop-work-orders-despite-emergency-waiver-2025-02-07/}}</ref>

==Organization==
===Governance, leadership and staff===
WFP is governed by an executive board that consists of representatives of 36 member states and provides intergovernmental support, direction, and supervision of WFP's activities. Of the 36 board members, 18 are elected by the [[United Nations Economic and Social Council]] and 18 by the [[Food and Agriculture Organization]].<ref>[https://undocs.org/en/E/2001/L.2/Add.8 UN Document E/2001/L.2/Add.8] Election of 6 members of the Executive Board of the World Food Programme : note : addendum / by the Secretary-General</ref> The [[European Union]] is a permanent observer in WFP and, as a major donor, participates in the work of its executive board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/rome/eu_united_nations/work_with_3_un_agencies_rome/index_en.htm|title=European Union|access-date=17 May 2016|archive-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610002023/http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/rome/eu_united_nations/work_with_3_un_agencies_rome/index_en.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 (FAO) of the United Nations. The executive director is appointed for fixed five-year terms and is responsible for the administration of the organization as well as the implementation of its programmes, projects, and other activities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Governance and leadership |url=https://www.wfp.org/governance-and-leadership |publisher=World Food Programme |access-date=13 January 2021}}</ref> [[Cindy McCain]], previously Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United States Mission to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome, was appointed to the role in March 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cindy McCain tapped to lead UN World Food Programme |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/02/politics/cindy-mccain-un-world-food-programme/index.html |access-date=3 April 2023 |publisher=CNN |date=2 March 2023}}</ref>

In March 2023, WFP had over 22,300 staff.

[[File:World Food Programme.jpg|thumb|The headquarters in [[Rome]]]]

==== List of executive directors ====
Since 1992, all executive directors have been American. The following is a chronological list of those who have served as executive director of the World Food Programme:<ref>{{cite web|title=Previous WFP Executive Directors|url=https://www.wfp.org/previous-executive-directors|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812190439/https://www.wfp.org/previous-executive-directors|archive-date=12 August 2019|access-date=16 April 2012|publisher=World Food Programme}}</ref>

#[[Addeke Hendrik Boerma]] ({{Flag|Netherlands}}) (May 1962 – December 1967)
#Sushil K. Dev ({{Flag|India}}) (January 1968 – August 1968) (acting)
#Francisco Aquino ({{Flag|El Salvador}}) (July 1968 – May 1976)
#Thomas C. M. Robinson ({{Flag|United States}}) (May 1976 – June 1977 acting; July 1977 – September 1977)
#Garson N. Vogel ({{Flag|Canada}}) (October 1977 – April 1981)
#Bernardo de Azevedo Brito ({{Flag|Brazil}}) (May 1981 – February 1982) (acting)
#Juan Felipe Yriart ({{Flag|Uruguay}}) (February 1982 – April 1982) (acting)
#[[James Ingram (diplomat)|James Ingram]] ({{Flag|Australia}}) (April 1982 – April 1992)
#[[Catherine Bertini]] ({{Flag|United States}}) (April 1992 – April 2002)
#James T. Morris ({{Flag|United States}}) (April 2002 – April 2007)
#[[Josette Sheeran]] ({{Flag|United States}}) (April 2007 – April 2012)
#[[Ertharin Cousin]] ({{Flag|United States}}) (April 2012 – April 2017)
#[[David Beasley]] ({{Flag|United States}}) (April 2017 – April 2023)
#[[Cindy McCain]] ({{Flag|United States}}) (Since April 2023)

==Activities==

===Emergencies===
[[File:WFP truck. Blokha.jpg|thumb|WFP truck in Dnipro, Ukraine, during Russian invasion in Ukraine.]]
About two-thirds of WFP life-saving food assistance goes to people facing high degrees of food insecurity, predominantly resulting from violence and armed conflict.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hunger, Conflict, and Improving the Prospects for Peace |url=https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000119678/download/ |publisher=World Food Programme |access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2024-06-05 |title=Hunger Hotspots: FAO–WFP early warnings on acute food insecurity: June to October 2024 outlook - occupied Palestinian territory {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/hunger-hotspots-fao-wfp-early-warnings-acute-food-insecurity-june-october-2024-outlook |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}</ref> Over 60% of the people facing hunger globally live in regions experiencing armed violence, which compounds with increased displacement, destruction of food systems, and increased humanitarian access challenges to pose massive risks to food security in the regions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our work {{!}} World Food Programme |url=https://www.wfp.org/our-work |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=www.wfp.org |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, more than 300 million people faced acute hunger globally.<ref name=":1" /> WFP said it had "reached 152 million people with essential aid" in 2023.<ref name=":1" />

The latest Hunger Hotspots outlook released June 2024 and co-published by WFP and FAO, emphasised that "acute food insecurity is likely to deteriorate further in 18 hotspots" between June and October 2024. These countries and country clusters face famine or risk of famine, with population already in or facing [[Integrated Food Security Phase Classification|IPC Phase 5]] (Catastrophe). Of those countries, [[Haiti]], [[Mali]], [[Palestine]], [[South Sudan]], and [[Sudan]] are classified as the most concerning.<ref name=":3" />

WFP is also a first responder to sudden-onset emergencies. When floods struck [[Sudan]] in July 2020, it provided emergency food assistance to nearly 160,000 people.<ref>{{cite news |title=WFP expands assistance to families struggling in flood-devastated regions of Sudan |url=https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-expands-assistance-families-struggling-flood-devastated-regions-sudan |access-date=8 January 2021 |publisher=World Food Programme |date=17 September 2020}}</ref> WFP provided food as well as vouchers for people to buy vital supplies, while also planning recovery, reconstruction, and resilience-building activities, after [[Cyclone Idai]] struck Mozambique and floods washed an estimated 400,000 hectares of crops on early 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=All you need to know about 2020 Nobel Peace Prize winner Word Food Programme |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/all-you-need-to-know-about-nobel-peace-prize-winner-world-food-programme/articleshow/78573291.cms |access-date=6 January 2021 |publisher=Times of India |date=9 October 2020}}</ref>

WFP's emergency support is also preemptive in offsetting the potential impact of disasters. In the Sahel region of Africa, amidst economic challenges, climate change, and armed militancy, WFP's activities included working with communities and partners to harvest water for irrigation, restore degraded land, and support livelihoods through skills training.<ref>{{cite news |title=World Food Programme Reinforces the Resilience of the Population in the Sahel |url=https://unowas.unmissions.org/world-food-programme-reinforces-resilience-population-sahel |access-date=7 January 2021 |publisher=United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel |date=2 March 2020}}</ref> It uses early-warning systems to help communities prepare for disasters. In Bangladesh, weather forecasting led to the distribution of cash to vulnerable farmers to pay for measures such as reinforcing their homes or stockpiling food ahead of heavy flooding.<ref>{{cite news |title=WFP provides assistance to communities at risk of monsoon flooding |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/07/02/wfp-provides-assistance-to-communities-at-risk-of-monsoon-flooding |access-date=9 January 2021 |publisher=World Food Programme |date=2 July 2020}}</ref>
[[File:World Food Programme in Liberia 002.jpg|alt=A couple of Liberian citizens (wearing blue vests that read World Food Program) unload weights of food to other citizens.|thumb|The World Food Program hands off high-energy biscuits to civilians at a Liberian port during the Second Civil War.]]
WFP is the lead agency of the [[Logistics Cluster]], a coordination mechanism established by the [[Inter-Agency Standing Committee]] (IASC).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.etcluster.org/|title=Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC)|website=www.etcluster.org}}</ref>  It also co-leads the Food Security Cluster.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fscluster.org/|title=Food Security Cluster|website=fscluster.org}}</ref> The WFP-managed [[United Nations Humanitarian Air Service]] (UNHAS) serves over 300 destinations globally. WFP also manages the [[United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot]] (UNHRD), a global network of hubs that procure, store and transport emergency supplies for the organization and the wider humanitarian community. WFP logistical support, including its air service and hubs, has enabled staff and supplies from WFP and partner organizations to reach areas where commercial flights have not been available during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chan |first1=Selina |title=The chain that coronavirus cannot break |url=https://www.wfp.org/stories/chain-coronavirus-cannot-break |access-date=9 January 2021 |publisher=World Food Programme |date=31 March 2020}}</ref>

===Climate change===
[[File:Bangladesh WFP Sayed Asif Mahmud.jpg|thumb|WFP took pre-emptive action to reduce the impact of floods in Bangladesh. Photo: WFP/Sayed Asif Mahmud]]
WFP provided cash to vulnerable groups ahead of torrential rains in Bangladesh in July 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rowling |first1=Megan |title=Analysis: As disaster train gathers speed, efforts gear up to clear the track |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-aid-climatechange-disaster-ana-idUSKBN2781IJ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023235121/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-aid-climatechange-disaster-ana-idUSKBN2781IJ |url-status=live |archive-date=23 October 2020 |access-date=7 January 2021 |publisher=Reuters |date=23 October 2020}}</ref> Its response to [[Hurricane Dorian]] in the Bahamas in September 2019 was assisted by a regional office in Barbados, which had been set up the previous year to enable better disaster preparedness and response. In advance of Dorian, WFP deployed technical experts in food security, logistics and emergency telecommunication to support a rapid needs assessment. Assessment teams also conducted an initial aerial reconnaissance mission with the aim to put teams on the ground as soon as possible.<ref>{{cite news |title=WFP lends expertise before and after Hurricane Dorian |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/bahamas/wfp-lends-expertise-and-after-hurricane-dorian |access-date=11 January 2021 |publisher=ReliefWeb |date=8 September 2019}}</ref>

===Nutrition===
[[File:Nutrition_Issa-Al-Raghi.jpg|thumb|A child holds a WFP supplementary, specialized food to treat malnutrition among children, at a WFP-supported nutrition clinic in Yemen. Photo: WFP/Issa-Al-Raghi.]]WFP works with governments, other UN agencies, NGOs and the private sector, increasing food security, supporting nutrition interventions, policies and programmes, that include school meals and food fortification.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ahmad |first1=Reaz |title=Bangladesh introduces micronutrient-enriched fortified rice first time in OMS |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/08/10/bangladesh-introduces-micronutrient-enriched-fortified-rice-first-time-in-oms |access-date=7 January 2021 |publisher=Dhaka Tribune |date=10 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=WFP launches seasonal support for 1 million people in Mali |url=https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/25919/wfp-launches-seasonal-support-for-1-million-people-in-mali |access-date=11 January 2021 |publisher=infomigrants.net |date=9 July 2020}}</ref>

===School meals===
[[File:School meals WFP.jpg|thumb|A child eats a WFP school meal in Lao. Photo: WFP/Vilakhone Sipaseuth]]
School meals encourage parents in vulnerable families to send their children to school, rather than work. They have proved highly beneficial in areas including education and gender equality, health and nutrition, social protection, local economies and agriculture.<ref>{{cite web |title=The impact of school feeding programmes |url=https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000102338/download/?_ga=2.168978918.694102881.1604921119-1516168960.1603989980 |publisher=World Food Programme |access-date=6 January 2021}}</ref> WFP works with partners to ensure school feeding is part of integrated school health and nutrition programmes, which include services such as malaria control, menstrual hygiene and guidance on sanitation and hygiene.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joint Advocacy Brief - Stepping up effective school health and nutrition |url=https://www.wfp.org/publications/joint-advocacy-brief-stepping-effective-school-health-and-nutrition |website=wfp.org |date=19 May 2020 |publisher=World Food Programme |access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref>

===Smallholder farmers===
WFP is a member of a global consortium that forms the {{visible anchor|Farm to Market Alliance}}, which helps smallholder farmers receive information, investment and support, so they can produce and sell marketable surplus and increase their income.<ref>{{cite web |title=Changing lives for smallholder farmers |url=https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000110345/download/ |publisher=World Food Programme |access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Farm to Market Alliance secures additional public funding from Norway |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/world-food-day-wfp-urges-further-strengthening-food-systems |access-date=11 January 2021 |publisher=World Food Programme |date=28 December 2020}}</ref> WFP connects smallholder farmers to markets in more than 40 countries.

In 2008, WFP coordinated the five-year Purchase for Progress (P4P) pilot project. P4P assists [[smallholding]] farmers by offering them opportunities to access agricultural markets and become competitive players in the marketplace. The project spanned across 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and trained 800,000 farmers in improved agricultural production, post-harvest handling, quality assurance, group marketing, agricultural finance, and contracting with WFP. The project resulted in 366,000 metric tons of food produced and generated more than US$148&nbsp;million in income for its smallholder farmers.<ref>[http://www.wfp.org/sites/default/files/P4P%20-%20Reflections%20on%20the%20pilot%2C%20February%202015.pdf Purchase for Progress: Reflections on the pilot, February 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311083131/http://www.wfp.org/sites/default/files/P4P%20-%20Reflections%20on%20the%20pilot,%20February%202015.pdf |date=11 March 2016 }}. WFP.org. Retrieved 8 April 2015.</ref>

===Asset creation===
WFP's Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) programme provides cash or food-based transfers to address recipients' immediate food needs, while they build or boost assets, such as repairing irrigation systems, bridges, and land and water management activities.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Asset Creation & Livelihood Diversification Brings Resilience to Kenya's Arid Counties |url=https://www.agrilinks.org/post/how-asset-creation-livelihood-diversification-brings-resilience-kenyas-arid-counties |access-date=9 January 2021 |publisher=Agrilinks |date=13 July 2020}}</ref>

FFA reflects WFP's drive towards food assistance and development rather than food aid and dependency. It does this by focusing on the assets and their impact on people and communities rather than on the work to realize them, a shift away from previous approaches such as Food or Cash for Work programmes and large public works programmes.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lele |first1=Uma |last2=Agarwal |first2=Manmohan |last3=Baldwin |first3=Brian C. |last4=Goswami |first4=Sambuddha |title=Food for All: International Organizations and the Transformation of Agriculture |date=18 November 2021 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford, United Kingdom |isbn=9780191816536 |url=https://academic.oup.com/book/39139 |access-date=11 July 2023}}</ref>

===Cash assistance===
[[File:Cash Simon Pierre Diouf.jpg|thumb|A beneficiary shows the humanitarian assistance card she used to receive money at a WFP cash transfer point in Niger. Photo: WFP/Simon Pierre Diouf]]
WFP uses [[cash transfer]]s such as physical banknotes, a [[debit card]] or vouchers, aiming to give more choices to aid recipients and encourage the funds to be invested back into local economies. During the first half of 2022, WFP delivered US$1.6 billion in cash to 37 million people in 70 countries to alleviate hunger.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Edward |date=September 15, 2022 |title=Global Food Crisis: Cash Offers Hope to the World's Most Vulnerable |url=https://www.indepthnews.net/index.php/sustainability/food-security-nutrition-sustainable-agriculture/5596-global-food-crisis-cash-offers-hope-to-the-world-s-most-vulnerable |website=InDepth News}}{{primary source inline|date=October 2022}}</ref> A 2022 study by the [[Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative]] concluded that the Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) cash programme "significantly reduced the incidence and intensity of multidimensional poverty" among the people receiving cash transfers.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Robson|first1=Matthew|last2=Vollmer|first2=Frank|last3=Berçin Do˘gan|first3=Stevis-Gridneff|last4=Grede|first4=Nils|date=August 2022|title=Distributional Impacts of Cash Transfers on the Multidimensional Poverty of Refugees: The ESSN Programme in Turkey|language=en|work=The Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative|url=https://www.ophi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/OPHIWP142.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010151602/https://www.ophi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/OPHIWP142.pdf|archive-date=10 October 2022}}</ref>

===Capacity building===
In the most climate disaster-prone provinces of the Philippines, WFP is providing emergency response training and equipment to local government units, and helping set up automated weather stations.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Food Programme: Emergency response and preparedness |url=https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000108994/download/?_ga=2.106464576.2123531880.1575880347-1264218027.1561107831 |publisher=World Food Programme |access-date=8 January 2021}}</ref>

===Digital innovation===
WFP's digital transformation centres on deploying the latest technologies and data to help achieve zero hunger. The WFP Innovation Accelerator has sourced and supported more than 60 projects spanning 45 countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=WFP Innovation Accelerator |url=https://www.solutions-summit.org/programs/wfp-innovation-accelerator/info |website=solutions-summit.org |publisher=Solutions Summit |access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref> In 2017, WFP launched the Building Blocks programme. It aims to distribute money-for-food assistance to Syrian refugees in Jordan. The project uses blockchain technology to digitize identities and allow refugees to receive food by eye scanning.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Juskalian |first1=Russ |title=Inside the Jordan refugee camp that runs on blockchain |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2018/04/12/143410/inside-the-jordan-refugee-camp-that-runs-on-blockchain/ |access-date=25 November 2021 |publisher=MIT Technology Review |date=12 April 2018}}</ref> WFP's low-tech hydroponics kits allow refugees to grow barley that feed livestock in the Sahara desert.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vetter |first1=David |title=Iris Scans, Hydroponics And Blockchain: How Innovation Is Helping Fight Global Hunger |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2020/09/22/iris-scans-hydroponics-and-blockchain-how-innovation-is-helping-fight-global-hunger/ |access-date=9 January 2021 |work=Forbes |date=22 September 2020}}</ref> The SMP PLUS software is an AI-powered menu creation tool for school meals programmes worldwide <ref>{{cite news|title=SMP PLUS, Feeding more children with better meals |url=https://innovation.wfp.org/project/smp-plus |access-date=6 January 2023 |work=WFP}}</ref>

===Partnerships===

WFP works with governments, the private sector, UN agencies, international finance groups, academia, and more than 1,000 [[non-governmental organisation]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Partner with us |url=https://www.wfp.org/partner-with-us |publisher=World Food Programme |access-date=8 January 2021}}</ref> The WFP, the UN [[Food and Agriculture Organization]], and the [[International Fund for Agricultural Development]] reaffirmed their joint efforts to end global hunger, particularly amid the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], during a joint meeting of their governing bodies in October 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=FAO, IFAD and WFP pledge to strengthen collaboration against hunger |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/world/fao-ifad-and-wfp-pledge-strengthen-collaboration-against-hunger |agency=FAO |access-date=7 January 2021 |publisher=ReliefWeb |date=12 October 2020}}</ref> In the United States, [[Washington, D.C.]]–based [[501(c)(3) organization]] World Food Program USA supports the WFP. The American organisation frequently donates to the WFP, though the two are separate entities for taxation purposes.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Funke|first1=Daniel |date=October 21, 2020 |title=Fact-checking claims about charities linked to Hunter Biden and the Trump children|url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/oct/21/left-action/fact-checking-claims-about-charities-linked-hunter/|access-date=2020-10-23|website=PolitiFact|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Aid transparency ===
WFP joined the [[International Aid Transparency Initiative]] (IATI) in 2013 as its 150th member<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wfp.org/stories/how-wfp-demonstrates-accountability-and-transparency |title=How WFP demonstrates accountability and transparency |website=World Food Programme |date=3 November 2021 |access-date=2024-09-11}}</ref> and has regularly published data since then using the identifier XM-DAC-41140.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://iatiregistry.org/publisher/wfp |title=Publishers / United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) |website=IATI Registry |access-date=2024-09-11}}</ref> The organisation was assessed by [[Publish What You Fund]] and included in the 2024 Aid Transparency Index<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.publishwhatyoufund.org/the-index/2024/ |title=2024 Index - Publish What You Fund |website=2024 Aid Transparency Index |access-date=2024-09-11}}</ref> with an overall score of 84.5, which is categorised as a "very good" score.

== Countries of operation ==
[[File:WFP countries.png|thumb]]

=== Afghanistan ===
14.8 million people have acute food insecurity.

=== Yemen ===
19.5 million people need humanitarian assistance and 17.1 million are food insecure.

== Reviews ==

=== Recognition and awards ===
WFP won the [[2020 Nobel Peace Prize]] for its "efforts for combating hunger", its "contribution to creating peace in conflicted-affected areas", and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of [[Food security#Politics|food as a weapon of war and conflict]].<ref>{{cite web |date=9 October 2020 |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2020/press-release/ |website=The Nobel Prize |access-date=9 October 2020 |title=The Nobel Peace Prize 2020 |archive-date=9 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009091529/https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2020/press-release/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/09/uns-world-food-programme-wins-nobel-peace-prize |first1=Luke |last1=Harding |title=UN's World Food Programme wins Nobel peace prize|date=9 October 2020|website=The Guardian|access-date=9 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009101202/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/09/uns-world-food-programme-wins-nobel-peace-prize|url-status=live}}</ref> Receiving the award, executive David Beasley called for billionaires to "step up" and help source the US$5 billion WFP needs to save 30 million people from famine.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McNamara |first1=Audrey |title=U.N. World Food Program director calls on billionaires to "step up" after Nobel Peace Prize win |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/un-world-food-program-director-billionaires-to-step-up-nobel-peace-prize-award/ |access-date=11 January 2021 |work=CBS News |date=10 October 2020}}</ref>

===Challenges===

In 2018, the [[Center for Global Development]] ranked WFP last in a study of 40 aid programmes, based on indicators grouped into four themes: maximising efficiency, fostering institutions, reducing burdens, and transparency and learning. These indicators relate to aid effectiveness principles developed at the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness (2005), the Accra Agenda for Action (2008), and the Busan Partnership Agreement (2011).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cgdev.org/blog/how-do-you-measure-aid-quality-and-who-ranks-highest |first1= Ian |last1=Mitchell |first2=Caitlin |last2=McKee |title=How Do You Measure Aid Quality and Who Ranks Highest?|date=15 November 2018|website=Center for Global Development|access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref>

There is wide general debate on the [[Aid#Criticism|net effectiveness of aid]], including unintended consequences such as increasing the duration of conflicts and increasing corruption. WFP faces difficult decisions in working with some regimes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-04-10 |title=Yemen: World Food Programme to cut aid by half in Houthi-controlled areas |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-52239645 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418061559/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-52239645 |archive-date= Apr 18, 2023 }}</ref>

Some surveys have shown internal culture problems at WFP, including sexual harassment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/10/08/world-food-program-un-survey-finds-abuse-discrimination/ |url-access=subscription |website=Foreign Policy  |title=Popular U.N. Food Agency Roiled by Internal Problems, Survey Finds|first=Colum|last=Lynch|date=8 October 2019 |access-date=9 October 2020|archive-date=25 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425155551/https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/10/08/world-food-program-un-survey-finds-abuse-discrimination/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jan/25/senior-un-figures-under-investigation-over-alleged-sexual-harassment|title=Senior UN figures under investigation over alleged sexual harassment|date=25 January 2018|website=The Guardian |first1=Rebecca |last1=Ratcliffe |access-date=9 October 2020|archive-date=24 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324100551/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jan/25/senior-un-figures-under-investigation-over-alleged-sexual-harassment|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Food}}
* [[Asia Emergency Response Facility]], a WFP special operation to establish an emergency response facility in Asia
* [[Fight Hunger]], a WFP initiative to end child hunger by 2015 
* ''[[Food Force]]'', an educational game published by WFP
* [[Network for Capacity Development in Nutrition]]
* [[World Food Council]], a defunct UN agency absorbed by FAO and WFP
* [[2025 hunger crisis in Syria]]
* [[2025 Houthi raids on UN buildings in Sanaa]]
* [[2025 hunger crisis in Afghanistan]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Wikiquote-inline}}
* {{official website}}
* {{Nobelprize}}

{{Nobel Peace Prize laureates}}
{{2020 Nobel Prize winners}}
{{Humanitarian Aid}}
{{Humanitarian partners of the European Commission}}
{{United Nations}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:World Food Programme]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1961]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1963]]
[[Category:International medical and health organizations]]
[[Category:International organisations based in Italy]]
[[Category:Organizations awarded Nobel Peace Prizes]]
[[Category:United Nations Development Group]]
[[Category:Italy and the United Nations]]
[[Category:Hunger relief organizations]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Rome]]
[[Category:Malnutrition organizations]]
[[Category:Agriculture in society]]
[[Category:George McGovern]]