WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME - INTERNATIONAL

News: Over 3 million Afghanistan children to suffer malnutrition this year: World Food Programme

 

What's in the news?

       Up to three million children in Afghanistan could suffer from malnutrition this year under the Taliban regime, the World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan has warned.

 

Key takeaways:

       The organisation stated that since last year, due to a reduction in foreign aid, the number of malnourished children seeking treatment has increased.

       The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) previously announced that in 2023, it assisted 7,15,000 malnourished children in Afghanistan.

 

World Food Programme:

       It is an international organization within the United Nations that provides food assistance worldwide.

       It is the world’s largest humanitarian organization and the leading provider of school meals.

       It was founded in 1961.

 

Headquarters - Rome, Italy

 

Organisations Involved:

       Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

 

Membership:

       Member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG)

 

Objectives:

       To end hunger by protecting access to food, improving nutrition and achieving food security, supporting SDG implementation and partnering for its results

 

Vision:

       Eradicate food insecurity and malnutrition by 2030 (SDG 2 – Zero Hunger)

 

Funding:

       Funded entirely by voluntary donations from governments, corporations, individuals and not-for-profit entities.

 

Outcomes:

       People are better able to meet their urgent food and nutrition needs.

       People have better nutrition, health, and education outcomes.

       People have improved and sustainable livelihoods.

       National programs and systems are strengthened.

       Humanitarian and development actors are more efficient and effective.

 

Important takeaways:

       Strategic Plan  “Turning the tide against hunger” (2022-2025) - Share the Meal Initiative: An initiative of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) that allows donations through the ShareTheMeal app

       WFP has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace 2020 for its efforts to combat hunger

 

Reports - Global Report on Food Crisis

 

WFP and India:  

       WFP has been working in India since 1963.

       Working to improve the efficiency, accountability, and transparency of India’s subsidized food distribution system, fortification of government-distributed food, and mapping and monitoring of food insecurity.