Support to the Immediate Response Account - World Food Programme 2014

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the United Nations’ frontline agency in the fight against hunger. It responds to emergencies saves lives by getting food to the hungry quickly and works to help prevent hunger in the future. With the support of DFATD and other donors to the Immediate Response Account WFP is able to respond swiftly to rapid-onset emergencies and protracted crises by providing much-needed up-front funding and to avoid major pipeline breaks in life-saving operations. Activities include: (1) providing food assistance; (2) conducting assessments; (3) supporting local and regional markets; (4) providing supplementary feeding for vulnerable groups such as children pregnant and breastfeeding women and female-headed households; and (5) improving logistical and telecommunications support to transport food on ships planes helicopters and trucks to crisis zones.

The expected immediate outcomes include: (1) improved access to food assistance through designated distribution sites (such as refugee camps therapeutic feeding centres); (2) increased ability to provide more efficient more effective and better targeted assessments and responses by using innovative technology; (3) increased ability to support local and regional markets; (4) increased access to supplementary feeding and nutritious supplementary foods for vulnerable groups; and (5) improved logistical and telecommunications support to transport food to crisis zones. The expected intermediate outcome is the reduced vulnerability of crisis-affected people especially women and children.