Case 5: World Food Programme: A Quarter a Day Keeps the Hunger Away

Case Summary

Established in 1961 and headquartered in Rome, Italy, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the largest humanitarian organization dedicated to eliminating world hunger. It costs 25 cents to feed one person in the developing world for a day. The goal of the WFP is to eliminate the need for food aid globally through poverty elimination. Not only does food aid helps reduce hunger but it also supports economic and social development of the local communities. In 2009, WFP brought 4.6 tons of food to 101.8 million people in 75 countries. Despite the efforts of the WFP, more than 1 billion people are hungry and/or starving on any given day. Women are critical for food aid, because they are more likely to distribute to the family. The WFP has 30 ships, 70 aircraft, and 5,000 trucks to facilitate emergency relief. The philosophy of the WFP is to provide "The right food to the right people at the right time."

In 2013, the WFP gave food assistance to 80.9 million people in 75 countries. The food assistance reduced or stabilized the undernutrition of 7.2 million children under the age of 5. A total of 18.6 million school children received meals in school and/or were given take-home food rations in 2013. WFP developed the Purchase for Progress (P4P) in 2008 and is focused on WFP's buying power to stimulate production and support for small farmers. WFP has initiatives that enrich the nutritional value of food, so it has higher calories and vitamins than usual. WFP has developed micronutrient powders that can be added to food or fluid. In Egypt, a program was set up that enriches all the flour used to make the country's basic bread with iron and folic acid.

The first 1,000 days are critical in a child's development, and undernourishment can cause permanent damage to mind and body. Mothers who were undernourished as children are 40% more likely to have children who die before the age of 5. Mothers with lower nutrition run a higher risk of death while giving birth. Terminal illnesses in developing countries are a great challenge. The lack of food and nutrition can significantly negatively affect HIV/AIDS victims. By providing food security, the WFP helps improve the general health and cuts medical expenses. WFP faces dangers everyday providing food worldwide.

In 2009, more than 600 security incidents were noted, and included harassment, detention, theft, kidnapping, and murder. In October 2009, a suicide bombing in Pakistan killed 5 WFP staff. Fifteen WFP staff were killed and 35 staff were injured during other incidents that year.Also in 2009, the WFP implemented the International Public Sector Accounting Standards to ensure financial transparency. With the help of corporate sponsors, the WFP has developed the Project Laser Beam (PLB) program. PLB focuses on a specific geographic location to maximize the long-term impact of the program. Focus is on food enrichment, and the development of skills that can generate future income including providing microfinancing.

The Six Lessons Learned by the WPF are:

1.Innovation is vital for the long term effectiveness of food aid.

2.Innovation must be designed for the specific needs of the country and citizens.

3.Innovation needs champions and leaders and must have a long-term financial commitment.

4.Free market systems are a powerful ally in implementing food assistance programs, but not the only one.

5.Innovation is not a solo commitment but needs strong and progressive partners.

6.Globalization needs to be perceived as both a threat and an opportunity.

Answer the Questions (Write 150-word minimum for each question. Research outside of the case may be required to provide additional points)

1.What should the role of corporations be in helping the WFP's mission? Explain.

2.Identify as many possible stakeholders of the WFP as you can. Comment on each group's involvement with the WFP.

3.Does is take a village to solve problems like hunger? Explain. How effective can organizations such as the WFP be in solving world hunger without the support from other NGOs? Explain.

4.Should issues such as world hunger be on corporate agendas? Explain.