The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide. In emergencies, WFP is often first on the scene, providing food assistance to the victims of war, civil conflict, drought, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, crop failtures and natural disasters. When the emergency subsides, WFP helps communities rebuild shattered lives and livelihoods and also works to strengthen the resilience of people and communities to future shocks by applying a development lens in our humanitarian response.

WFP is part of the United Nations system and is entirely voluntarily funded.

Established in 1961, its vision is also guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 2 on ending hunger and SDG 17 on revitalizing global partnerships for implementation of the SDGs. WFP works towards that vision in partnership with its two sister UN agencies in Rome ― the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) ― as well as with other government, UN, NGO, and private sector partners.

On average, WFP reaches on average 80 million people with food assistance in around 80 countries each year. About 14,000 people work for the organisation, many of them in remote areas, directly serving the hungry poor.

There are about 800 million people – one in nine – who still go to hungry every night in the world today. The world has made great progress in reducing hunger: There are 216 million fewer hungry people than in 1990-92, despite a 1.9 billion increase in the world’s population. But there is still a long way to go. Eradicating hunger and malnutrition is one of the most important challenges of our time.

Solving hunger is a “”best buy” in today’s tough economy. When nations work together to solve hunger and invest in good nutrition, they increase productivity and create economic opportunities. Conversely, studies have shown that countries lose millions of dollars in economic output as a result of child undernutrition.

Solving hunger is also a contribution to peace and stability. When governments can no longer guarantee adequate food supplies, states are prone to fall. Volatility on food markets can quickly translate into volatility on the streets.

Finally, solving hunger lays the foundation for progress in many other areas of development, including health and education. Well-nourished women have healthier, heavier babies whose immune systems are stronger for life. A healthy, well-fed child is also more likely to attend school.

Since the global community adopted the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development in 2015, WFP has reinforced its commitment to making progress on Goal 2 – Zero Hunger – pledges to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

Japan, which plays a key leadership role in coordinating the global response to food insecurity and malnutrition, is also one of the most important and consistently generous donors to WFP, with a total contribution of about US$200 million each year. Timely financial and technical support from the people and the Government of Japan are making a tangible difference in improving the lives and human security of the most vulnerable and food-insecure people around the world.

Furthermore, WFP Japan Office has been strengthening partnerships with the private sector, Japanese aid organisations, academia and individual donors, in line with SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals.

In close partnerships with the people of Japan, WFP will continue to strive towards a world free of hunger. By working together to solve hunger, we are sowing the seeds for a better future.