The World Food Programme (WFP) is the food aid branch of the United Nations, and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger worldwide[1]. WFP provides food, on average, to 90 million people per year, 58 million of whom are children.[2] From its headquarters in Rome and more than 80 country offices around the world, WFP works to help people who are unable to produce or obtain enough food for themselves and their families. WFP strives to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, with the ultimate goal in mind of eliminating the need for food aid itself.The core strategies behind WFP activities, according to its mission statement, are to provide food aid to:
1.save lives in refugee and other emergency situations;
2.improve the nutrition and quality of life of the most vulnerable people at critical times in their lives; and
3.help build assets and promote the self-reliance of poor people and communities, particularly through labour-intensive works programmes.
WFP food aid is also directed to fight micronutrient deficiencies, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, and combat disease, including HIV and AIDS. Food-for-work programmes help promote environmental and economic stability and agricultural production.
