Islamic Republic of Iran

The World Food Programme (WFP) has been assisting refugees in Iran with food since 1987. However, the organization is now replacing most of its food assistance with cash. While families continue to receive a small amount of wheat flour, the bulk of the assistance is handed out in cash, which can be spent in shops and markets inside the settlements. This diversifies the dietary intake of refugees, who are now able to buy food of their own choice; benefits the community as a whole by encouraging purchases in local shops; and increases the efficiency of assistance.

In another shift from its traditional modus operandi in the country, WFP is also supporting activities that will enhance the livelihoods of refugees and equip them with better skills to rebuild their lives once they go back to their countries. These activities specifically target women, whose economic participation is generally very limited due to restrictive socio-cultural norms, and aim to promote their self-reliance and self-confidence. As refugee girls tend to be overlooked for education and are often married off early, WFP is also providing families with cash incentives to send their daughters to school regularly.

Iran is an earthquake-prone country – and saw WFP’s first emergency operation at the time of the devastating quake that hit Boein Zahra in 1962. For this reason, all WFP activities in the country incorporate an emergency preparedness capacity. WFP stands ready to support the Iranian authorities and people in case of sudden-onset disasters.

Iran is one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and WFP Iran is supporting national response efforts as well as continuing to assist refugees living in settlements across the country.

WFP in Iran also actively promotes a debate about hunger and Sustainable Development Goal 2, engaging with the public through opinion makers and celebrities who lend their voices to the cause of Zero Hunger.