www.wfp.org

The World Food Programme is the food aid organisation of the United Nations. Unlike most UN Organisations it operates on the basis of voluntary donations pledged at irregular intervals. Both the Department of Agriculture and Food and Irish Aid make significant cash contributions to WFP. Funding provided by the Department of Agriculture and Food covers Ireland’s commitment under the 1999 Food Aid Convention and an additional voluntary contribution directed to certain categories within WFP. These categories are as follows: Immediate Response Account, Emergency Operations, Protracted Relief and Recovery, Special Operations and Development. Irish Aid funding is provided in response to specific emergencies as they arise. In 2002 Ireland was the 18th largest donor to WFP and Ireland took up a seat on the Executive Board for the first time in 2003.