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12 things you may not know about the World Food Programme

Facts and figures about our work to help end hunger
, Paul Anthem, Simona Beltrami and Mert Er
Woman carrying box of food on her head
The Democratic Republic of the Congo: A woman carries a box of WFP high-energy biscuits distributed following floods in South Kivu. Photo: FSC/Martin Lukongo 

1.

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace. We work in over 120 countries and territories, and assisted 152 million people in 2023 – 53 percent of whom were women and girls.

Side view of WFP truck travelling along track in reduced sunlight
South Sudan: A WFP truck in Warrap State. Photo: WFP/Samantha Reinders 

 

2.

Each day we can have nearly 5,000 trucks, 20 ships and 132 planes on the move, delivering food and other assistance in some of the most remote and challenging parts of the world.

Rear view of a WFP staffer in branded top standing in front of docked ship
Djibouti: A ship carrying food reaches port en route to Ethiopia. Photo: WFP/Hugh Rutherford 

 

3.

WFP is the frontline agency responding to emergencies caused by conflict, climate shocks, pandemics and other disasters. We responded to 47 sudden-onset emergencies in 32 countries in 2023.

Man unloading sacks from a WFP helicopter
Burkina Faso: Emergency food being offloaded in Djibo. Photo: WFP/Benoit Lognone

 

4.

We provide school meals to over 21 million children, improving both their nutrition and their access to a potentially life-changing education. A total of 65 countries made new commitments to school-based programmes, or strengthened existing commitments, in their national policies in 2023. 

Children sitting down and smiling as they eat food while at school
Yemen: Students receive a daily packed lunch from WFP as part of the Healthy Kitchen Programme. Photo: WFP/Hebatallah Munassar 

 

5.

We received US$8.3 billion in contributions in 2023, with a record 64 percent shortfall against needs of US$22.8 billion. We need to bridge this gap to meet soaring demands and prevent further ration cuts across crisis-hit countries.  

A woman picking tomatoes in a field.
Guatemala: A farmer harvests tomatoes in a WFP-supported farm in Chiquimula Department. Photo: WFP/Giulio d'Adamo 

 

6.

WFP sourced 90,000 metric tons of food worth US$56 million from smallholder farmers in 24 countries in 2023. 

Three women standing and facing camera holding fruit
India: These smallholder farmers dry their crops using eco-friendly solar dryers. Photo: WFP/Shyamalima Kalita 

 

7.

In 2023, WFP supported 9 million people through asset creation and livelihood activities. This included the rehabilitation of 377,000 hectares of land, the planting of more than 4,200 hectares of forest, and the repair or building of more than 7,200 km of roads and trails. 

Person crouching down over a basket of fruit
Tajikistan: A woman washes fresh fruit thanks to an irrigation system devised to support people's livelihoods in mountainous regions. Photo: WFP/Giulio d'Adamo

 

8.

WFP delivered 3.7 million metric tons of food to nearly 101 million people – two thirds of all the people we supported – in 72 countries in 2023. 

A box of WFP food being handed to a man
Gaza: A food parcel is collected at the Khirbet Addas warehouse in Rafah. Photo: WFP/Abood al Sayd

 

9.

WFP bought 60 percent of the food used in its operations in local and regional markets in 2023, worth US$1.1 billion, saving time and money on transport costs and helping sustain and grow local economies. 

A child eating a school meal
Ecuador: A young girl enjoys her food at Colombia School in Montúfar, as part of WFP's school meals project. Photo: WFP/Carolina Moncayo

 

10.

WFP is the largest cash provider in the humanitarian community, increasing consumer choice and strengthening local markets. In 2023, WFP transferred US$2.9 billion in cash and vouchers in 76 countries, reaching 51.6 million people. 

A man handing banknotes to someone
Bangladesh: Cash is distributed after flash floods in Chittagong. Photo: WFP/Dip Chakma

 

11.

We supported nearly 18 million people in preparing for, responding to and recovering from climate shocks in 2023. This included US$17.8 million in insurance payouts for people in countries affected by drought, floods and tropical cyclones. 

A child wading through water
Somalia: A child wades through flood water in Hirshabelle State. Photo: WFP/Arete/Abdirahman Yussuf Mohamud

 

12.

In 2023, WFP reached 27 million mothers and children with support to prevent and treat malnutrition during the first 1,000 days of life.   

A child eating WFP nutrition supplement
Ethiopia: A child eats Plumpy'Sup, a specialized nutritious food., at a health centre in Amhara Region. Photo: WFP/Michael Tewelde   
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