World Food Programme (WFP)

Category: International Organisations | Food Security | Humanitarian Assistance

UPSC Notes

The World Food Programme is the United Nations' principal humanitarian organisation focused on emergency food assistance and efforts to address hunger. It provides food, cash assistance, nutrition support and logistical services in humanitarian emergencies.

Key Pointers

  • Established: 1961; operations began in 1963.

  • Headquarters: Rome, Italy.

  • Nature: UN humanitarian organisation.

  • Core mandate: Emergency food assistance and support for food security and nutrition.

  • Major activities: School meals, nutrition programmes, emergency relief and food assistance in conflict zones.

  • Nobel Peace Prize: Awarded in 2020 for its efforts to combat hunger and contribute to peace.

  • Related SDG: SDG 2 — Zero Hunger.

  • Distinction: The WFP is operationally focused on food assistance; the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has a broader mandate involving agriculture, fisheries, forestry and food systems.

The WFP's current overview describes its humanitarian operations across more than 120 countries and territories.

UPSC focus: UN agencies, global hunger, food insecurity, humanitarian crises and the Sustainable Development Goals.