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 Human-Made Crises

Hurricanes & Cyclones
Violent storms are disastrous for vulnerable populations. This year, Hurricane Beryl brought life-threatening winds, heavy rain and sever storm surges to the Caribbean. It left thousands of people homeless and destroyed livelihoods.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes can damage roads, reduce homes and hospitals to rubble, and push populations into a health emergency. When multiple earthquakes struck along the border between Türkiye and Syria in February 2023, families were left with limited or no access to food.
Drought
In places like Zimbabwe and Kenya, drought has left fields barren and turned farmland into dust. Families are often forced to deplete their food reserves or leave home 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.
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
Repair & Rebuild
Early Warnings
Telecommunications
Our Work By the Numbers
40
emergencies have been responded to by the ETC since it began
10 to 15
grams of protein and 450 calories
16+
Vitamins and minerals in each biscuit
15,000
community gardens or water sources were planted, built or repaired in 2023
4,500
miles of roads were constructed or repaired in 2023
58 countries
strengthened their emergency preparedness and response systems with support from WFP in 2023
103 million people
received emergency assistance from WFP in 2023
19 years
ago the Emergency Telecommun-ications Cluster (ETC) was established
40
emergencies have been responded to by the ETC since it began
10 to 15
grams of protein and 450 calories