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Despite restrictions on women in Afghanistan, the Sharifa sisters have built a thriving business with WFP's support. In other countries, farmers tackle the climate crisis, women create savings groups, communities reduce food waste, and support nutrition through traditional crops. In looking back at a year in which the World Food Programme has been responding to major crises - including Gaza, Sudan and Haiti - it's time to shine a light on other equally important aspects of WFP's work. Alongside its work in emergencies, its resilience-building activities empower people to create food security over the long term; saving lives and changing lives. Here are a few .

The is urgently seeking $250 million to support 2.8 million displaced and food-insecure people across Syria. Ongoing conflict has exacerbated the food security crisis, with affected by food insecurity. Disrupted supply routes, soaring food prices, and a weakening currency have deepened the crisis. While WFP has been providing critical food aid, additional funding is essential to continue these efforts and prevent further hardship in the region.

A World Food Programme convoy recently reached North Darfur’s Zamzam camp, delivering food to 12,500 people amidst dangerous terrain and conflict.

“We want people to scream at the top of their lungs saying enough is enough […] We as humanity will not tolerate this, regardless of what and where it is happening.”

Arif Husain has spent the past decade raising his voice on behalf of those struggling to get enough to eat. Now Chief Economist at the World Food Programme (WFP), he is calling for the world to put a stop to mass hunger.

There is no shortage of food in the world, yet WFP says the number of people going hungry has more than doubled in the past five years. In this episode of Awake at Night, Arif Husain reflects on how the deadly trio of conflict, climate change and economics conspire to breed hunger, and offers listeners hope from a surprising source.

Photo: ©WFP/Inger Marie Vennize

World Food Programme Country Director in Lebanon warns of the urgent need for de-escalation as the region faces escalating humanitarian crises and over a million displaced people.

Across the globe, the way Indigenous Peoples produce, transform and consume food is based on a deep knowledge of the local ecosystems. is tapping into this knowledge to fight hunger.

The emergency wheat production initiative in Sudan, implemented by the , has significantly boosted wheat production and provided crucial support to farmers, especially those displaced by the ongoing conflict.

“Prior to this war [in Gaza], people had dreams. Today people's dreams are about survival.”

Matthew Hollingworth has worked in conflict zones around the world, from Ukraine to South Sudan and Syria. Previously in charge of the World Food Programme’s (WFP) emergency operations in the West Bank and Gaza, Matthew was responsible for delivering life-saving aid to desperate people.

“People ask me every single day when I'm in Gaza: “When will the bombs stop? When will the fighting stop? When will they stop blowing things up? When can I go home?” We don't have the answers. But we do know that that is what's needed.”

WFP delivers food relief to more than 120 countries across the world suffering the impacts of conflicts, disasters and climate change. In this episode of Awake at Night (recorded on 21 June 2024), Matthew Hollingworth reflects on his daily struggle to prevent famine in Gaza, on the apocalyptic scale of the destruction there, and on the morale boost he gets from working with extraordinary colleagues on the ground.

teams in the Caribbean are assessing the devastating aftermath of , providing crucial humanitarian aid to communities severely impacted by the storm's destructive force.

As Sudan's crisis continues, Chad and South Sudan are increasingly affected, hosting over half of Sudan's more than two million war-displaced refugees who face heightened hunger worsened by the rainy season.

Tropical storm Lisa left devastating effects on farmers in Belize, highlighting the crucial role of emergency assistance in building resilience against climate shocks in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Amid access restrictions and closing of bakeries in Rafah, the is working to serve remaining supplies to as many people as possible.

The escalating military activity in Rafah, southern Gaza, has triggered mass displacement and threatens a humanitarian catastrophe, with the urgently needing access and supplies to rebuild aid distribution systems.

Kenyan women in savings groups spearhead economic empowerment, transforming lives and challenging traditional norms.

In Ethiopia's Somali Region, women are not only building businesses but also resilience against climate change through empowerment initiatives that provide training, access to markets, and financial services.