The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a USD 17 million core contribution from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, strengthening WFP's ability to provide lifesaving assistance worldwide.
Core funding allows WFP to determine where resources are most urgently needed, enabling agile and strategic assistance to the world's most vulnerable communities. This vital funding helps WFP carry out anticipatory action before disasters strike, procure and deliver food swiftly in the immediate aftermath of crises, and reach high-risk areas where access is limited - saving lives in emergencies and changing lives in vulnerable communities.
"Thanks to the generosity of the Government and people of the Republic of Korea, WFP is able to provide lifesaving aid to vulnerable communities around the world," said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. "Core funding allows us to deliver immediate assistance where hunger is most acute. The ROK's valuable support is making a real difference across a wide range of emergencies and WFP is deeply grateful for its leadership."
The Republic of Korea first partnered with WFP more than 60 years ago, at a time when the country was recovering from Korean war and facing severe food shortages. From 1964 to 1984, WFP implemented food assistance and development programmes in the ROK, building an important foundation for the country's recovery and growth. Having developed with the support from WFP and the international community, the ROK is now one of WFP's top five government donors, giving back to the world the support it once received, as a shining example of overcoming hunger.
This year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) also launched the REACH (Responding with Emergency Assistance for Conflict-Affected Households) initiative, providing USD 37 million in emergency food and nutrition assistance to four countries on the frontlines of conflict and disaster. This contribution is helping WFP meet immediate food needs in the most crisis-affected areas and support their recovery.
Today, 318 million people worldwide face severe food insecurity - double pre-pandemic levels. As humanitarian needs surge while global funding declines, the ROK's contribution will play a pivotal role in protecting lives and addressing hunger where the needs are greatest.
