Over the past five years, Spain and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have built a strong partnership which has led to Spain becoming a major donor to WFP operations across the world.

In the context of the global economic crisis, WFP appreciates Spain’s commitment to keep the battle against hunger a high priority in the government’s agenda and is thankful for their humanitarian response in Africa and Latin America.

The Spanish Government and WFP have been exploring new ways of collaboration to increase efficiency and achieve greater impact of the resources. Over the next six months WFP together with the Government of Spain shall consider: 

• To establish in coordination with the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD), a logistics capacity in Las Palmas to allow WFP to preposition life-saving food supplies and emergency equipment in support of humanitarian operations in West Africa contributing also to facilitate the work of other UN agencies and humanitarian partners in the area.

• The creation of a twinning fund in which Spain and WFP will partner with developing countries in a triangular structure that will enhance the contributions of these nations to WFP operations in support of the world's poorest people.

• To increase the collaboration between the Humanitarian Logistics Centres of Spain (AECID) and WFP (UNHRD) in Panama, aiming at reducing operational costs and increase synergies between the two centers

• All of the above actions will be reflected in a strategic partnership agreement to be signed by the end of the year that will also contemplate the opening a WFP Liaison Office in Madrid.