Support to the Immediate Response Account - World Food Programme 2007-2009

The World Food Programme's (WFP) Immediate Response Account (IRA) is a special account that is set up to purchase and transport food in order to meet the most pressing needs usually in the event of a natural disaster or other unexpected situations. Given that WFP is entirely voluntarily funded it depends on donors in order to respond to the immediate food aid needs of affected populations during humanitarian crises or natural disasters. The IRA therefore plays a critical role in filling in funding gaps to ensure that the basic food aid needs of the most vulnerable populations are met in a timely manner. Historically Canada has provided considerable support to the IRA which is consistent with our desire to strengthen humanitarian agencies' rapid response capacity. This CIDA contribution allows WFP to make funding decisions based on wherever needs are the greatest.