News

Launch of Latest Edition of Ground-Breaking Humanitarian Handbook in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG – The 2011 edition of the Sphere Project’s Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response handbook was launched in Pretoria today by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and World Vision International (WVI).

WFP Launches Food Voucher Project in Jalalabad

JALALABAD, Afghanistan – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a groundbreaking food voucher project in eastern Afghanistan, helping thousands of hungry people get the food they need to live healthy lives.

Malian Pop Duo WFP’s Newest Ambassadors Against Hunger

Amadou and Mariam, the acclaimed Malian pop duo, are WFP’s newest Ambassadors Against Hunger, and the first devoted to raising hunger awareness in the EU. The announcement followed the two singers’ return from Haiti, where they met with families still suffering from the devastation of the January 2010 earthquake.

Fleeing Libyans Tell Tales of Hunger

A family escaping the conflict in Libya has described to WFP the growing problems that civilians inside the North African country face when trying to find food. “They just need the basic stuff – flour, water – because they don’t have anything,” said Mohammed, a student interviewed as he escaped by sea to Egypt.

I’m Not Eating for the World’s Hungry People

I'm fasting in support of those without food and will donate what I save ($20.00 a day) to the World Food Program through www.wefeedback.org.

Airlift Brings Urgent Relief to Côte d’Ivoire

WFP is ramping up efforts to assist people displaced by violence in Côte d’Ivoire with a series of airlifts that will help feed more than 75,000 people around the country. Meanwhile, a logistically challenging operation is underway to feed some 150,000 refugees in remote areas of neighboring Liberia.

Rising Food Prices: 10 Questions Answered

The latest figures on food prices show that after eight months of straight increases there was a slight dip in March. It’s too early to say whether this is the start of a decline and much will depend on what happens in coming weeks. In the meantime the effects of hikes have already been felt around the world.

"People Frightened, Running Out of Food," Says Staffer in Côte d’Ivoire

Graan Jaff is the chief of WFP operations in western Côte d’Ivoire. For the past few months, he’s been at the middle of the country’s upheaval, working to get food to the people who need it. Jaff, who's based in the western town of Man, says that tens of thousands of people on the run are hungry and scared, and that reaching them with help is no easy job.

Penn Student Brings Hunger Awareness to Her Community with 'Rave to Save'

When I began working at World Food Program USA in January, I was told one of my responsibilities would be to support and help coordinate volunteer-led fundraising and awareness raising events. I looked forward to fulfilling this role, curious about what types of people and events I’d be assisting and how they would turn out.

What a Simple Road Can Mean in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, getting food to hungry people is challenging enough considering the country's ongoing conflict and instability. A United Nations Humanitarian Air Service flight crew recently noticed something unusual in their aircraft. They had just landed in Herat when they noticed a bullet hole around the right engine.

WFP Ship Delivers Vital Aid at Frontline of Libya Conflict

A United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) ship carrying life-saving food, medical supplies, and other relief items has docked at the Libyan port of Misrata, opening up a new humanitarian lifeline to civilians trapped in the Libyan conflict. “This is a breakthrough for the UN humanitarian operation in Libya,” said WFP's executive director, Josette Sheeran.

Lowlands Management Project Helps Women Provide for their Families

From morning to night, Elise spends her days taking care of her family and working in nearby rice fields. As a beneficiary of the Lowlands Management Project, she is now better able to provide for her six children.

Why I’m Not Eating for the World’s Hungry People

Proposed budget cuts are threatening the lives of millions of the world's hungry people. But you can join World Food Program USA in making a difference.

Philippines: Women Sowing the Seeds of a Brighter Future

After years of conflict, women on the Philippines island of Mindanao are taking reconstruction into their own hands. Through projects to reclaim old fishing grounds, start new market gardens and recycle used rice bags into rope, these women are leading the way towards a better future for themselves and their families.

Philippines: Women Sowing the Seeds of a Brighter Future

WFP Executive Director Sees How Food Saves Lives, Fights Malnutrition In Somalia

GALKAYO, Somalia – The executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Josette Sheeran, today highlighted the suffering of the Somali people which she witnessed during a visit to a region of Somalia affected by war and deepening drought.

United States Donates Food for WFP to Feed Children and Vulnerable People

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received today from the U.S. government a donation of 4,000 metric tons of food (worth $6.5 million) to assist communities vulnerable to food insecurity and malnutrition in the Central African Republic (CAR).

UN Presence in Giant Refugee Camp 'Vital', Says WFP Head

On the last leg of her five-day trip to Kenya, WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran visited Dadaab, one of the biggest concentrations of refugees in the world. While there she spoke to some of the Somali women and children who had arrived in the camps after fleeing conflict in their own country.

WFP Executive Director Sees Drought, New Tougher Controls in Somalia

On her first visit to Somalia, WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran met women and children in a camp for displaced people and witnessed the impact of a deepening drought on malnutrition rates among children and the elderly.

WFP Extends Support to Disaster Response Efforts in Japan

TOKYO – As Japan grapples with the devastation caused by the massive earthquake and tsunami, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is on the ground setting up logistics hubs to support relief efforts led by the Japanese Government, local institutions, and aid and welfare organizations.