Multilateral Aid Review summary - World Food Programme (WFP)

WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation with two-thirds of its resources channelled through humanitarian interventions. It is voluntarily funded and its scale of operation is driven in large part by fluctuating humanitarian need. In 2009 its expenditure was US$ 4.2 billion.

	comment
Contribution to UK development objectives	Strong
	+	Only agency capable of delivering emergency food assistance at scale in difficult and often dangerous environments.
	+	WFP is a critical humanitarian partner for the UK.  We deliver more humanitarian assistance (36 per cent of our 2008-09 spend) through WFP than any other agency.
	+	We rely on WFP for emergency logistics, emergency preparedness and disaster risk management.  In fragile and post-conflict situations we are working with WFP to help deliver effective transitions to stability.
	+	WFP becoming a more important developmental partner for UK in countries where it is successfully managing the transition to a strategic and capacity building role.
Organisational strengths	Satisfactory
	+	WFP delivers results at scale in humanitarian and fragile contexts.
	+	It has a strong corporate emphasis on costs/efficiencies coupled with business model improvements. Drives cost control with delivery partners; and it seeks value for money through local procurement and cost-efficient delivery tools.
	_	Some programme tools do not always represent best VFM in comparison with non-food alternatives.
	_	In some cases donor funding modalities constrain the achievement of greater value for money.
	+	WFP has demonstrated good partnership behaviour over the last two years: improvements can be seen at country and global levels.
	+	WFP has strong financial management systems and is addressing areas of weakness.
	_	While transparency is improving accountability e.g. to decentralised funders, partners and beneficiaries remains weak.
Capacity for positive change	Likely
	+	WFP and its Executive Board work well together in pursuit of improvement; management have demonstrated responsiveness to member concerns.
	+	Since 2007 WFP has carried out significant reforms of its strategic direction, operational tools results, financial, programming and HR systems.