Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) on Monday, 18 September 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 October 2023. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Monday, 2 October 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

World Food Programme: Finance

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, if any, with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) about (1) its operational requirements for 2023, and (2) the funding shortfall of over 60 per cent the WFP faced this year; what response they have given the WFP’s concerns about the funding shortfall; and what plans they have, if any, to raise this with international partners.

Answer: UK officials recently discussed World Food Programme (WFP) projected operational shortfalls for 2023 and 2024 in Rome. WFP's new Management Plan will be submitted for approval to the Executive Board in November. The Board, including the UK, is asking WFP to "do better with less", further improving prioritisation and targeting to ensure that the most vulnerable and at risk are not left behind. We are currently discussing the matter with other donors, including WFP's largest government donor - the USA - and other stakeholders like the World Bank. We and our partners wish not only to increase humanitarian funding globally, but also to help reduce humanitarian need in the first place, by strengthening activities through WFP and others that build community resilience to shocks - for example through anticipatory action.

Secondary information