Since 1963, WFP has provided US$681 million worth of assistance to Egypt, in an effort to improve food and nutritional security and access to socio-economic opportunities amongst the most vulnerable segments of the population. Particular emphasis has been placed on meeting the needs of women and children. Over the years, WFP assistance has contributed to the development of 32 percent of all new government-reclaimed agricultural land; now home to nearly 180,000 households or 900,000 people.
In the past, activities ranged from emergency interventions to direct food assistance. Currently, WFP is adopting a more comprehensive approach to create hunger solutions in countries where we work. WFP’s current country programme in Egypt includes efforts to:
- Strengthen government capacities to improve national food-based safety nets.
- Reduce gender disparities in accessing basic education, and increase access to pre-school for poorest children.
- Improve school attendance and the capacity of children to concentrate and assimilate information, by relieving short-term hunger while at school and providing take-home rations as conditional food transfers to families.
- Improve and increase livelihood opportunities amongst the most vulnerable communities through physical and human asset creation.
- Reduce levels of micronutrient deficiencies, especially iron, folic acid and vitamins A and D, through the fortification of staple foods produced in-country by public and private manufacturers.
All WFP programme activities are driven by the government’s request, thereby promoting national ownership. WFP complements its projects with advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the organization's work, as well as to mobilize resources.