"World Food Programme's Nobel Peace Prize win applauded by 'Bread for the World'"
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, recognised for its relentless efforts to combat hunger and starvation in crisis and war-torn regions across the globe. This prestigious accolade comes as international organisations and governments intensify their efforts to address the soaring hunger and malnutrition rates exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts.
Operating in over 120 countries, the WFP aims to assist people affected by both sudden crises and chronic food insecurity. In 2024, the organisation provided food assistance to 124.4 million people, delivering 16.1 billion daily rations. To continue supporting 98 million vulnerable individuals worldwide in 2025, the WFP requires US$5.7 billion. Despite raising US$9.8 billion in 2024, ongoing funding gaps pose a significant threat.
The WFP's work is considered essential for de-escalating conflicts and addressing the root causes of displacement. In Sudan, where famine was confirmed in 2024, the WFP scaled up assistance to over 4 million people monthly, extending vital support to refugees in neighboring countries. However, funding shortfalls threaten cuts in food aid, which would severely impact vulnerable populations, especially children at high risk of malnutrition.
In parallel, Bread for the World, a critical advocacy and funding partner, continues its efforts to counter hunger exacerbated by the pandemic, conflicts, and economic disruptions. While specific details about Bread for the World's current activities are not available, the organisation is known for its focus on lobbying governments and international bodies to increase funding for food security programs, supporting sustainable agriculture, nutrition interventions, and emergency food assistance, and raising public awareness about the hunger crisis.
Collaboration between international organisations is crucial in the fight against hunger. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) play significant roles in identifying hunger hotspots, coordinating responses, and implementing country-specific strategic plans to address food crises. Their joint reports warn of worsening hunger conditions and call for urgent, coordinated humanitarian action to prevent mass starvation, particularly in regions affected by conflict and displacement.
Cornelia Füllkrug-Weitzel, president of Bread for the World (BfdW) and Diakonie Disaster Aid, has welcomed the award bestowed upon the WFP. She emphasises the need for a determined fight against hunger and a shift towards a global food system oriented towards justice, agro-ecology, and democracy. Füllkrug-Weitzel also expresses concerns about the potential doubling of people at acute risk of starvation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, estimating the number to reach 260 million.
The international community is urged to follow its commitments to ending hunger with concrete actions. The sustainable development goal of ending hunger by 2030 can only be achieved with such an orientation. The WFP's receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize is seen as a "well-deserved recognition" for the organisation's work.
A photograph of children in a slum, courtesy of dts Nachrichtenagentur, accompanies this article, serving as a stark reminder of the daily emergency faced by millions around the world. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) continues to operate in crisis and war zones, supporting people at risk of starvation, and calling for the international community to unite in the fight against hunger.
- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) also focuses on health-and-wellness, particularly addressing malnutrition, in its efforts to combat hunger.
- In the field of environmental-science, the WFP considers sustainable agriculture essential for long-term food security.
- Political action is crucial in addressing global hunger, as seen through Bread for the World's advocacy work and lobbying for increased funding.
- The climate-change and economic disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have worsened the global hunger crisis, making the need for urgent action and coordination more pressing.
- Nutrition interventions are crucial components of the WFP's assistance programs, as poor nutrition can lead to various health-and-wellness issues.
- The increasing awareness of the hunger crisis has led to a rise in general-news coverage and public discussions about the issue, placing a spotlight on crime-and-justice issues related to food distribution and accidents that may exacerbate hunger in crisis zones.
