UN World Food Programme

1
UN World Food Programme
For EWCII Bonn, 16-18 October 2003

• The World Food Programme (WFP) is the frontline
  agency within the United Nations in the fight
  against global hunger.
• It operates at the request of National
  Governments and the UN SG
• In 2002, WFP assisted 72 million people in 82
  countries suffering from hunger because of
  interrelated crises natural disasters, conflict,
  extreme poverty and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
• Last year, WFPs largest challenge was to
  respond rapidly to an unprecedented number of
  weather-related disasters that caused large-scale
  food insecurity throughout Africa (Southern
  Africa, Ethiopia, Eritrea) while meeting the
  needs of ongoing humanitarian operations
  worldwide.

2
UN World Food Programme
For EWCII Bonn, 16-18 October 2003
Sample of Multi-Hazard Early Warning and
Preparedness Process at WFP

• MGMT EPR Outputs
• Global forecasting
• Global mgmt plan
• Global resource positioning
• Contingency Planning (including inter-agency)
• Upfront EPR funding
• Policies and knowledge base (risk mgmt,
  mitigation, EPR)
• Security and staff safety
• Enhanced info-sharing with Gos, other UN
  agencies/partners, and donors

Information preparedness tools
MONITORING


SYSTEM


Daily EWDs


EXECUTIVE BRIEF

Monitoring system based on

external sources of special-
COUNTRIES OF CONCERN

ised early warning informa-

tion and on internal WFP
field reports.


Monitoring covers drought,
floods, tropical storms,
socio
-
political trends, vol-
canic and seismic activity.

Analysis and communication



IM Platform
DATABASE

DEVELOPMENT

Hazard calendars

Building an internal data-
base that makes use of the

wealth of information,
historical data, and trends
available globally.


Includes data on natural
Field level info exchange
hazards, refugees and IDPs,
as well as internal WFP
operational statistics.


Other United Nations Agencies, NGOs,
etc.

3
UN World Food Programme
For EWCII Bonn, 16-18 October 2003
4
UN World Food Programme
For EWCII Bonn, 16-18 October 2003

• Some lessons
• Information mgmt is a complex process but the
  output message must be simple and accessible,
  tailored to mgmt decision making
• Messages must be accurate, comparable,
  consistent standards are necessary to enhance
  global oversight, prioritisation and
  consolidation
• The EW function must be integrated into EPR
  frameworks and practice. EW standing alone is
  just information.
• Humanitarian organizations must invest on
  strengthening EW and EPR an informed manager is
  a good manager.
• Good EW and EPR make all of us more accountable
• AND
• Donors must share responsibilities. The principle
  of accountability early warning early action
  must extend to the whole international community.