WFP Awarded more than US$182 Million by the United States Department of Agriculture for Emergency Food and Nutrition Support and Sustainable School Meals  

As conflict, displacement, climate shocks and economic instability intensify hunger and deepen humanitarian needs, these generous contributions will help WFP deliver urgent assistance to vulnerable populations while investing in longer-term solutions that strengthen food security, support national systems and build resilience.

Through USDA’s Food for Peace program, WFP has been awarded three awards with a combined value of US$147.6 million to support food and nutrition assistance in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Haiti. Across the three countries, conflict, displacement, climate shocks and economic instability are pushing vulnerable families deeper into hunger and undermining their ability to meet their basic needs. The U.S. funding will provide over 60,000 metric tons of food sourced from American farmers—including grains, pulses, oil and fortified specialized nutrition products—reaching more than two million of the world’s most vulnerable people with vital assistance.

A fourth award of US$35 million through USDA’s competitive McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program will support school meals in Cambodia reaching an estimated 143,000 students across more than 650 schools.

Nutritious school meals help children attend school regularly, concentrate in the classroom and learn, benefiting the children, their families and wider communities. Over five years, more than 9,100 metric tons of U.S.-sourced commodities – including vegetable oil, rice and yellow split peas – will contribute to food security and improved educational outcomes.

The McGovern-Dole award will also unlock nearly US$10 million in co-financing from the Government of Cambodia, demonstrating the country's growing commitment to expanding and sustaining its school meals programme.  This investment will reinforce government-led systems, promote national ownership and help sustain school meals over the long term.

“From families caught in humanitarian emergencies to children who rely on nutritious meals to learn and thrive, these awards come at a critical time,” said Matthew Nims, Director of WFP’s Washington office.  “As needs grow and resources remain stretched, this continued support from USDA will enable us to deliver vital assistance where it is needed most, while strengthening government ownership and capacity to sustain progress and invest in a more food secure future.”

This generous contribution builds on significant U.S. government support provided to WFP earlier this year by USDA, the U.S. State Department and through OCHA pooled funds in support of emergency assistance.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of weather extremes.

The Food for Peace program benefits American farmers and producers through purchases of bulk and formulated U.S. agricultural commodities furnished to provide emergency food assistance to address famine, food crises, and acute food insecurity. Food for Peace moves U.S. commodities to countries in need to provide life-saving emergency food assistance while ensuring that the strategic priorities of the United States are met. For more information, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/food-peace.

The USDA McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program (McGovern-Dole) funds school meals and education and nutrition programs for women, infants, and children in countries with high food insecurity. By providing school meals, education and nutrition support, and complementary activities, McGovern-Dole projects help boost school enrollment, increase attendance, and improve reading outcomes and literacy results. USDA McGovern-Dole programs also work closely with communities and host governments to support lasting impact and the continuation of school meals after USDA support ends. The program provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities, local and regional procurement of agricultural commodities, and financial and technical assistance to support school feeding and maternal and child nutrition projects. For more information, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/mcgovern-dole-food-education-program.