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.

WFP is 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.

60+

years of experience providing emergency assistance

80%

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

20k

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

Natural and Man-Made Crises

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

In places like Yemen, conflict and displacement are driving families into crisis levels of food insecurity. Where there is conflict there is hunger, and where there is hunger there is often conflict.

Photo: WFP
Photo: WFP/Hugh Rutherford

WFP is the frontline agency responding to emergencies caused by conflict, climate shocks, pandemics and other disasters. Each day, up to 5,000 trucks, 20 ships and 132 planes are on the move, delivering food and other assistance.

How WFP Responds to Emergencies

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.

10 to 15grams of protein and 450 calories
16+Vitamins and minerals in each biscuit
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.

15,000community gardens or water sources were planted, built or repaired in 2023
4,500miles of roads were constructed or repaired in 2023
Photo: WFP/Saikat Mojumder
Early Warnings

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

58 COUNTRIESstrengthened their emergency preparedness and response systems with support from WFP in 2023
140,000 tonsof grains, beans and oil were pre-positioned in South Sudan ahead of storms
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.

15 yearsago the Emergency Telecommun-ications Cluster (ETC) was established
40emergencies have been responded to by the ETC since it began

The Emergency Relief 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.