- Countries
- Africa
- Algeria
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Congo, Democratic Republic Of
- Congo, Republic Of
- Côte D'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Rwanda
- São Tomé And Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Swaziland
- Tanzania, United Republic Of
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Americas
- Asia
- Middle East
- Africa
- Our work
- Hunger
- Get Involved
- News
Nutrition
For every operation that WFP undertakes, it has to establish what type and quantity of food people need. It’s not just a question of providing food, but also making sure what arrives is nutritionally appropriate to address the problem at hand.
Using international standards and guidance, WFP’s nutrition experts advise on appropriate food baskets for people facing hunger and the risk of malnutrition. Of course, diets are different all over the world and food assistance has to be matched with what the local population is used to cooking and eating. Learn more
Listen to the expert
The BBC World Service recently interviewed WFP nutrition expert Martin Bloem as part of a broadcast about fighting hunger. The programme focused in particular on Malawi.
Early years crucial
Some of our programmes have a very specific nutritional objective, and try to address a specific deficiency or improve the nutritional intake of a specific group of people.
Research confirms that good nutrition in the early years of life is crucial for human growth and mental development. That’s why a large part of WFP’s nutrition work is directed at young children and mothers. WFP also works with other vulnerable groups, such as people living with HIV and children orphaned by AIDS. Learn more
Nutrition in all operations
But nutrition considerations cut across all WFP operations and programmes. The agency is giving nutritional input even in an emergency-related general food distribution. The same is true, in less dramatic circumstances, when it provides a snack of fortified biscuits or a hot meal for school children during the school day.
Malnutrition affects millions of people around the world. A third of all deaths in children under the age of 5 in developing countries are linked to undernutrition. WFP’s role in fighting malnutrition is not only to treat it but also to prevent it becoming severe in the first place.
