WFP Chief calls for closer partnerships to build climate resilient communities in the Asia-Pacific
MANILA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Cindy McCain today called for strengthened partnerships in Asia and the Pacific, to increase climate resilience and financing for smallholder communities vulnerable to food insecurity. She was speaking at the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asia and the Pacific Food Security Forum in the Philippines.
Half of the world’s climate-related emergencies have been recorded in Asia and the Pacific, where 72 million people are food-insecure. Climate crises in the region are fueling hunger, displacement and even conflict.
“We must increase efforts to empower farmers and rural communities across the Asia-Pacific region to protect their food security and nutrition against the growing threat from climate change. In a region rich in ideas and resources, innovation and partnerships are essential to support climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods”, said Executive Director McCain. "WFP is fully committed to working with the Asian Development Bank, national governments and local communities to invest in long-term solutions to hunger.”
WFP and ADB have expanded their partnership since 2020, working together from Afghanistan to Lao PDR and the Philippines - supporting communities to build climate resilience and improve nutrition. This collaboration will soon reach Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
On her first visit to Manila since taking office, the WFP Executive Director met Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to consolidate the partnership with the Government to address hunger, malnutrition and climate resilience.
WFP is supporting the Government in its efforts to provide nutritious school meals to all schoolchildren by 2030 and reach 1 million food-insecure families with food e-vouchers by 2027. WFP’s work in the Philippines also focuses on emergency preparedness and response and the provision of technical and supply chain services.
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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 climate change.
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