Humanitarian

Support & Services

The Logistics of Humanitarian Relief

WFP does whatever it takes to reach the world’s most vulnerable people – even in the most dire situations and isolated regions of the world.

First on the scene

Delivering food to the world’s most remote and challenging locations under precarious security conditions can be one of the toughest yet most important tasks on the planet.

An effective emergency response depends on a robust system of coordination across humanitarian organizations and resources to efficiently reach families in need.

man operating all-terrain vehicle
Photo: Hugh Rutherford

Leading Logistics on the Frontlines

WFP is the frontline agency responding to emergencies caused by conflict, climate shocks, and other disasters. At any given time, WFP has up to 5,000 trucks, 132 aircraft and 20 ships delivering food assistance across the planet.

5,000 Trucks

Photo: WFP/Mir Mohammad Wali
132 Planes

Photo: WFP/Alexander Joe
20 Ships

Photo: WFP/Vlad Dumea-Bencze/2022
Photo: WFP/Mir Mohammad Wali
WFP Helicopter delivers food aid to Indonesia after tsunami
Photo: WFP/Rein Skullerud

U.N. Logistics Cluster

As head of the U.N. Logistics Cluster, WFP oversees the delivery of all supplies and staff for the entire aid community during times of crisis—an enormous challenge that requires tremendous logistics expertise. As the world’s first responder, WFP employs the most effective tools to reach the most vulnerable—whether that be a convoy of trucks, a chartered fleet of ships or even a caravan of elephants to transport food and supplies across the planet’s toughest terrain.

In addition, WFP oversees a global network of Humanitarian Response Depots that allows the agency to dispatch emergency supplies anywhere in the world within 24 to 48 hours, and operates the U.N. Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), which delivers safe, reliable, cost-efficient and effective common air services to the entire humanitarian community.

HElp Save Lives Today

By giving to WFP, you help deliver life-saving food to in need all over the world.