Image depicting Emergency Relief
Photo: WFP/Eulalia Berlanga

Emergency Relief

From hurricanes and cyclones to outbreaks of conflict and health threats, WFP responds immediately, delivering humanitarian aid and food to over 100 million people suffering from hunger.

Top Emergencies Give Now
There When Disaster Strikes

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the first on the scene in an emergency, providing food and other assistance to millions of people affected by violent conflicts, drought, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, crop failures and pandemics.

50+

years of experience providing emergency assistance

80%

of WFP’s time and resources are allocated to crisis zones

20,600

staff are on the ground on any given day, responding in real time

Natural and Man-Made Crises
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Hurricanes & Cyclones

Violent storms are disastrous for vulnerable populations. In 2021, Cyclone Yaas triggered storms and floods in the coastal areas of Bangladesh that left dams broken, towns submerged under water and entire livelihoods destroyed.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes can damage roads, reduce homes and hospitals to rubble, and push populations into a health emergency. When a 7.2 magnitude quake hit Haiti in August 2021, countless families were left homeless and left with limited or no access to food.

Drought

In places like southern Madagascar and Kenya, drought leaves fields barren and turns farmland into dust. Families are often forced to deplete their food reserves or leave their homes in search of water.

Conflict

When conflict or violence breaks out, families are forced from their homes and cut off from their food supply. Today, nearly 60 percent of the world’s hungriest people live in conflict-affected areas like Yemen and Afghanistan.

WFP is the frontline agency responding to emergencies caused by conflict, climate shocks, pandemics and other disasters. Each day, up to 5,600 trucks, 30 ships and 100 planes are on the move, delivering food and other assistance.

See Our Impact

How WFP Responds to Emergencies

Photo: WFP/Alessandro Pavone
Emergency Food

High-energy biscuits are pre-packaged and shelf-stable. When cooking facilities are scarce, they are easy to distribute and can be eaten without water or cooking.

Photo: WFP/Saikat Mojumder
Repair & Rebuild

When roads are washed away in storms or bridges are destroyed by fighting, WFP helps local communities rebuild them so they can withstand future upheaval.

Early Warnings

Using cutting edge technology, WFP monitors emergencies before they happen. If conflict or natural disasters are on the way, WFP takes action.

Telecommunications

WFP is the leader of the United Nations’ emergency communications relief efforts. Its experts work to re-establish vital networks brought down by storms.

The Emergency Response Fund

The fund supports WFP operations during unexpected disasters and emergencies. It’s an efficient, flexible solution for donors who are looking to fast-track their charitable gifts to people in dire need.

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Take Action

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Be an Advocate

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Play the Freerice Game

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