The World Food Programme (WFP) has called for a major scale-up in disaster risk financing to prevent millions from being pushed into hunger by extreme weather, as stated in a new release issued at the close of COP30 in Belém. The agency warned that even a 1°C rise in global temperatures could drive an additional 70 million people into food insecurity across 45 countries where WFP operates.
“Waiting for a storm to hit before we act is a mistake,” said Richard Choularton, WFP’s Director for Climate and Resilience. “A lack of preparedness is what turns a hurricane into a hunger catastrophe. Early and innovative actions save lives and protect livelihoods—we urgently need more support to keep scaling these solutions.”
In the past year, WFP launched early action measures ahead of 16 extreme weather events in 13 countries. Nearly 14 million people received storm warnings, while 1.3 million households got cash assistance to buy food, reinforce homes, or evacuate safely. The agency estimates that each dollar spent on anticipatory action saves up to seven dollars in avoided losses and quicker recovery.
WFP is also expanding disaster insurance programs to help countries recover faster. In 2024, it delivered USD 361 million in financial protection to more than six million people across 37 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. The payouts, triggered by extreme weather, are used for social support and subsidies to reach the most vulnerable.
As climate disasters become more frequent and severe, WFP emphasized that financing for prevention must reach at-risk communities. More investment is needed to strengthen local food systems, restore degraded land, and equip smallholder farmers to adapt to a changing climate. The agency commended Brazil’s “Mutirão diplomacy” during COP30 for fostering collaboration on climate action, urging nations to turn pledges into concrete results: keep the 1.5°C goal alive, expand adaptation programs, and deliver on promised climate finance.
