WFP | THE YEAR IN REVIEW

WFP staff deployed in most acute emergencies (levels 2 and 3) in 2016

Countries where staff were deployed in emergencies

Level 2 emergencies require regional WFP resources to be mobilized.
Level 3 emergencies require global resources.

As we look to the future, we continue to capitalize on our strengths. In 2016, feeding hungry people in emergencies remained the core of WFP’s engagement.
Even with record funding, overlapping crises – conflict, drought, and record numbers of refugees and displaced people – meant we had our work cut out.
In some of the world’s most insecure places, we saved life after life. But with global challenges continuing at this level, resources will need to be vastly increased and diversified for WFP to go on delivering.

SYRIA

In 2016, Syria entered its sixth year of conflict. By now, the fighting has gone on longer than World War II. Diplomatic initiatives have come and gone. Meanwhile, half of all Syrians have been forced out of their homes or out of their country.

Livelihoods have been crushed. Development has been knocked back decades.

Syrians requiring humanitarian assistance outnumber those who don’t. Inside and outside the nation’s borders, from debit cards for refugees in Turkey to air drops in the besieged city of Deir-Ezzor, WFP used every means at its disposal to keep Syrians alive.

YEMEN

Yemen’s conflict has further exhausted what was already one of the Arab world’s least developed economies. Society has been ripped apart. Hunger has spread to affect some two-thirds of the population.

Many have been plunged into extreme hardship. Availability of the next meal is a matter of luck.

The impact on children, in particular, has been devastating; malnutrition has soared. Throughout 2016, WFP worked hard to reach millions of Yemenis in desperate need, while advocating for peace and safe access.

IRAQ

Large parts of Iraq’s territory remained gripped by instability and conflict in 2016. In October, the offensive to recapture Mosul piled further financial pressure on a WFP operation which was already feeding hundreds of thousands of people.

"Having a proper meal was something we hadn’t thought was possible again."

The words belong to Samba. She had been keeping her child alive on bread and water, plus the odd sip of tea, when she came to us. Once the offensive began, life-saving food was provided as soon as families displaced by fighting reached safe areas.

NIGERIA

Although 2016 saw Boko Haram expelled from many parts of north-eastern Nigeria, the insurgency continues to pose an existential threat. In 2016, nearly two million displaced people, often survivors of extreme violence, were still unable to go home. Many more struggled to feed themselves.

A number of areas remained highly dangerous. Some were entirely cut off, and likely saw famine or near-famine.

WFP used a mix of in-kind food and cash payments to assist hungry Nigerians wherever possible, and developed a land-and-air Rapid Response Mechanism for flash humanitarian incursions into unstable areas.

SOUTH SUDAN

Ranked the world’s most fragile state – as well as its newest – South Sudan has been plagued by civil conflict for four of its six years of independence. Political and inter-communal tensions fuel continued violence.

The fighting has killed and uprooted many, wiped out crops, destroyed markets and created the premise for famine.

In 2016, WFP staff braved severe insecurity to assist South Sudan’s hard-pressed citizens – often by means of the humanitarian air service we manage, UNHAS.

Southern Africa

In 2016, a virulent episode of El Niño brought crippling drought to much of southern Africa. Poor or failed crops left millions facing hunger in Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Through concerted action and despite tight funding, WFP and partners staved off famine in the region.

In southern Madagascar, many residents had been reduced to eating cactus fruit to survive. In hardest-hit Malawi, WFP launched the country’s largest humanitarian operation to date.

WFP staff deployed in most acute emergencies (levels 2 and 3) in 2016

Countries where staff were deployed in emergencies

Level 2 emergencies require regional WFP resources to be mobilized. Level 3 emergencies require global resources.

SYRIA

In 2016, Syria entered its sixth year of conflict. By now, the fighting has gone on longer than World War II. Diplomatic initiatives have come and gone. Meanwhile, half of all Syrians have been forced out of their homes or out of their country.

Livelihoods have been crushed. Development has been knocked back decades.

Syrians requiring humanitarian assistance outnumber those who don’t. Inside and outside the nation’s borders, from debit cards for refugees in Turkey to air drops in the besieged city of Deir-Ezzor, WFP used every means at its disposal to keep Syrians alive.

People in need

13.5 million

People assisted by WFP in 2016Covers both Syria and neighbouring countries

7.1 million

Resources mobilized for WFP’s Syria emergency relief operation in 2016

US$949.7 million

Percentage of WFP resources mobilized for Syria

16.4

YEMEN

Yemen’s conflict has further exhausted what was already one of the Arab world’s least developed economies. Society has been ripped apart. Hunger has spread to affect some two-thirds of the population.

Many have been plunged into extreme hardship. Availability of the next meal is a matter of luck.

The impact on children, in particular, has been devastating; malnutrition has soared. Throughout 2016, WFP worked hard to reach millions of Yemenis in desperate need, while advocating for peace and safe access.

People in need

18.8 million

People assisted by WFP in 2016

7.3 million

Resources mobilized for WFP’s Yemen emergency relief operation in 2016

US$372.3 million

Percentage of WFP resources mobilized for Yemen

6.4

IRAQ

Large parts of Iraq’s territory remained gripped by instability and conflict in 2016. In October, the offensive to recapture Mosul piled further financial pressure on a WFP operation which was already feeding hundreds of thousands of people.

"Having a proper meal was something we hadn’t thought was possible again."

The words belong to Samba. She had been keeping her child alive on bread and water, plus the odd sip of tea, when she came to us. Once the offensive began, life-saving food was provided as soon as families displaced by fighting reached safe areas.

People in needPrior to the Mosul offensive

10 million

People assisted by WFP in 2016

1.5 million

Resources mobilized for WFP’s Iraq emergency relief operation in 2016

US$204.5 million

Percentage of WFP resources mobilized for Iraq

3.5

NIGERIA

Although 2016 saw Boko Haram expelled from many parts of north-eastern Nigeria, the insurgency continues to pose an existential threat. In 2016, nearly two million displaced people, often survivors of extreme violence, were still unable to go home. Many more struggled to feed themselves.

A number of areas remained highly dangerous. Some were entirely cut off, and likely saw famine or near-famine.

WFP used a mix of in-kind food and cash payments to assist hungry Nigerians wherever possible, and developed a land-and-air Rapid Response Mechanism for flash humanitarian incursions into unstable areas.

People in need

4.3 million

People assisted by WFP in 2016

1 million

Resources mobilized for WFP’s Nigeria emergency relief operation in 2016

US$219.7 million

Percentage of WFP resources mobilized for Nigeria

3.8

SOUTH SUDAN

Ranked the world’s most fragile state – as well as its newest – South Sudan has been plagued by civil conflict for four of its six years of independence. Political and inter-communal tensions fuel continued violence.

The fighting has killed and uprooted many, wiped out crops, destroyed markets and created the premise for famine.

In 2016, WFP staff braved severe insecurity to assist South Sudan’s hard-pressed citizens – often by means of the humanitarian air service we manage, UNHAS.

People in need

4 million

People assisted by WFP in 2016

4 million

Resources mobilized for WFP’s South Sudan emergency relief operation in 2016

US$613.7 million

Percentage of WFP resources mobilized for South Sudan

10.6

Southern Africa

In 2016, a virulent episode of El Niño brought crippling drought to much of southern Africa. Poor or failed crops left millions facing hunger in Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Through concerted action and despite tight funding, WFP and partners staved off famine in the region.

In southern Madagascar, many residents had been reduced to eating cactus fruit to survive. In hardest-hit Malawi, WFP launched the country’s largest humanitarian operation to date.

People in need

18 million

People assisted during Southern Africa’s drought in 2016

9.4 million

Resources mobilized for WFP’s Southern Africa emergency relief operation in 2016

US$568.5 million

Percentage of WFP resources mobilized for Southern Africa

9.8

Go to the next section:

Changing Lives in a Changing World

Level 2 emergencies require regional WFP resources to be mobilized.
Level 3 emergencies require global resources.

People assisted by WFP in 2016
Covers both Syria and neighbouring countries

People in need
Prior to the Mosul offensive