THE GREAT ENABLERS

Discover and engage with WFP's Legacy of Innovation, Technology, Digital Advancement, and Data Excellence.
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WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain

Message from the WFP Executive Director

April 2023

As we all know, the world faces a severe crisis today. Hunger is soaring, resources are running low, and millions will lose vital food rations if we don’t have the means to feed those in greatest need As we all know, the world faces a severe crisis today. Hunger is soaring, resources are running low, and millions will lose vital food rations if we don’t have the means to feed those in greatest need.

We cannot overcome these challenges without innovation and technology. Smart ideas and creative thinking at scale are in WFP’s DNA, but we also need new ways to streamline our operations and stretch our resources further.

The exponential growth of technology in recent years has introduced new possibilities that can revolutionize the way we tackle these global issues. By identifying, supporting and scaling high-impact innovations, and by harnessing the potential of cutting-edge digital solutions, we can unlock new avenues to streamline logistics, enhance distribution networks, and maximize the efficiency of resource allocation.

In a world where more and more people face dangerous food insecurity, WFP must stand resolute in its commitment to scaling innovation. This website explores in greater depth the various ways in which WFP is building, and can build on, our strong innovation culture in order to end hunger and save lives.

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WFP Executive Director visits the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). @WFP/Ratanak Leng

This platform showcases WFP’s cutting-edge projects and the innovative ways that companies, entrepreneurs, and individuals can work with us so that, together, we achieve even more. 

It is nearly 60 years since WFP started delivering food to vulnerable communities threatened by natural disasters and war. Since then, we have embraced innovation and technology to forge closer relationships with the people we serve, helping them to decide what they need and pushing ourselves to be even better.

We have harnessed the extraordinary benefits of mobile technology, artificial intelligence, responsible data management, and secure digital finance to support people in crisis. This is why, for example, we developed WFP’s Farm2Go app, which connects thousands of farmers in Kenya and Rwanda with training and information on weather and local agriculture.

Innovation and digital technology are written into WFP’s corporate DNA - but the speed and scale at which the humanitarian community needs to embrace them must continue to accelerate.

In just the past two years, digital solutions have helped WFP save enough money to provide 73 million more meals. We have achieved these efficiencies with projects such as Building Blocks, a privately managed blockchain network created in 2017, which now helps over a million refugees access monthly cash and food entitlements from a range of different organizations, as well water, hygiene, and sanitation support. But we need to scale up programs like these so the precious resources they release can be ploughed back into food assistance.

The sheer size of WFP’s global footprint allows us to be even more ambitious. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, WFP launched the Emergency Service Marketplace, using real-time data to deliver medical supply shipments such as ventilators, personal protective equipment, and testing kits to over 100 countries for 72 organizations.

In a world where a few seconds or a mile longer can be the difference between life and death, WFP's commitment to using innovation and technology enables us to move closer to our shared goal of eliminating hunger by 2030. As you explore this site, I hope it will inspire you with ways to help build the better world we all want to see. Let's work together, in partnership, to achieve it.

Cindy McCain
Executive Director, World Food Programme
WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain
Photo: WFP/Alessandro Abbonizio 

Message from the WFP Executive Director

October 2023

The world is facing a global crisis - hunger is soaring, funding is running dangerously low, and millions are losing access to food because we don’t have the resources to feed everyone in greatest need.

Overcoming these challenges will take innovation and technology. Smart ideas and creative thinking at scale are in WFP’s DNA, but every day there are new advancements that can revolutionize the way we tackle these global issues.

In a world where more and more people face dangerous food insecurity, WFP must stand resolute in its commitment to innovation. By identifying, supporting, and scaling high-impact projects and harnessing the potential of cutting-edge digital solutions, we can unlock new ways to streamline logistics, enhance distribution networks, and maximize the efficiency of resource allocation.

This website explores in greater depth the various ways WFP is building and can build on our strong innovation culture to end hunger and save lives. I hope it can serve as inspiration, guiding you towards ways we can partner and use all of our skills toward our shared goals.

Together, let's unite to create the world we want: the one where no one goes to bed hungry.

Show more
Show less
WFP Executive Director visits the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). @WFP/Ratanak Leng

This platform showcases WFP’s cutting-edge projects and the innovative ways that companies, entrepreneurs, and individuals can work with us so that, together, we achieve even more. 

It is nearly 60 years since WFP started delivering food to vulnerable communities threatened by natural disasters and war. Since then, we have embraced innovation and technology to forge closer relationships with the people we serve, helping them to decide what they need and pushing ourselves to be even better.

We have harnessed the extraordinary benefits of mobile technology, artificial intelligence, responsible data management, and secure digital finance to support people in crisis. This is why, for example, we developed WFP’s Farm2Go app, which connects thousands of farmers in Kenya and Rwanda with training and information on weather and local agriculture.

Innovation and digital technology are written into WFP’s corporate DNA - but the speed and scale at which the humanitarian community needs to embrace them must continue to accelerate.

In just the past two years, digital solutions have helped WFP save enough money to provide 73 million more meals. We have achieved these efficiencies with projects such as Building Blocks, a privately managed blockchain network created in 2017, which now helps over a million refugees access monthly cash and food entitlements from a range of different organizations, as well water, hygiene, and sanitation support. But we need to scale up programs like these so the precious resources they release can be ploughed back into food assistance.

The sheer size of WFP’s global footprint allows us to be even more ambitious. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, WFP launched the Emergency Service Marketplace, using real-time data to deliver medical supply shipments such as ventilators, personal protective equipment, and testing kits to over 100 countries for 72 organizations.

In a world where a few seconds or a mile longer can be the difference between life and death, WFP's commitment to using innovation and technology enables us to move closer to our shared goal of eliminating hunger by 2030. As you explore this site, I hope it will inspire you with ways to help build the better world we all want to see. Let's work together, in partnership, to achieve it.

Cindy McCain
Executive Director, World Food Programme
The World Food Programme (WFP) embraces the principles of UN 2.0 and its "Quintet of Change," which fuses innovation, data, digital, foresight and behavioral-science skills and culture, to create more agile, diverse, responsive and impactful UN organizations.

As a founding member and co-chair of the UN Innovation Network, WFP aspires to nurture and promote a collaborative community of UN innovators that pushes this agenda forward.  
"Be bold, be revolutionary….and disrupt…because without innovation, there is no way we can overcome the challenges of our times."
António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General

The great enablers

The urgency of SPEED

Every second counts in the fight against hunger – and WFP and its partners can hear the clock ticking. Doing things better and faster means harnessing new solutions that accelerate decision making and assistance-delivery processes. Time can make the difference between life and death, and we have a responsibility to serve people as fast as we can.

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The dignity of EMPOWERMENT

To be effective, innovation and technology should allow the people we serve to unlock their true potential.

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WFP Global Innovation and Technology Map

The latitude of SCALE

As the largest humanitarian organization in the world fighting hunger, WFP solves immense logistical puzzles every day. And it does this with a spirit of innovation and a curiosity for technology. Scaling up solutions to these puzzles enables WFP to serve more people, better.

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The power of PARTNERSHIPS

Great ideas often start small like a seed planted in a vast field, but they have the potential to sprout, flourish, and transform an entire landscape. Innovation and technology can breed solutions that change the entire humanitarian ecosystem, introducing choices to governments, communities and families where only barriers once existed.

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