World Food Programme

The World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations is the world's largest humanitarian organisation and is committed to working against hunger worldwide.

On average, WFP reaches more than 80 million people in 75 countries, providing food assistance. WFP is the leading organisation committed to a world without hunger and is often the first on site in times of crisis. In addition, WFP works in developing countries to prevent disasters. The organisation is entirely dependent on voluntary contributions. Donors, such as the Government of Flanders, are the main source of income for WFP. In affected areas, WFP also works on food security for the future. It does this through programmes that use food as a means to build infrastructure, disseminate knowledge and to help create stronger and more dynamic communities.

WFP gives food to people who have very little to eat in exchange for work in their Food-for-Work programmes. These projects build the foundations for a better future. For example, if farmers no longer have to worry about their next meal, they will have the time and energy to build irrigation systems to take their production to a higher level. In a similar way, Food-for-Training programmes offer people the opportunity to learn new skills such as bee-keeping, sewing, or even the chance to read and write. This will help them to live more independently in the future.

Flanders supports WFP since it is still the leading organisation in the provision of food assistance in emergencies. In 2011, Flanders entered into a multi-year commitment with WFP for 3 million euros over the period 2012-2014. The agreement between WFP and Flanders concerns the award of a grant to WFP for an overall contribution to the country offices in Malawi and Mozambique on the one hand, and to the WFP Multilateral Fund on the other.