At COP30, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned that a 1°C rise in global temperatures could thrust an additional 70 million people into food insecurity across the 45 countries where it operates, highlighting the urgent need to expand disaster risk financing.
“Storms, floods and droughts displace people from their homes, disrupt agricultural systems and break up supply chains.”
According to the WFP, a significant reduction in aid funding has also heightened the risk, leaving many fragile communities without the resources needed to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-driven disasters.
“Empowering communities to withstand hunger shocks is key. More financing must reach communities to strengthen local food systems, restore degraded land, and equip smallholder farmers to build resilience,” the WFP added.
Richard Choularton, WFP’s Director for Climate and Resilience, said, “A lack of preparedness is what turns a hurricane into a hunger catastrophe. Waiting for a storm to hit before we act is a mistake.
“We have proven time and again that early, effective and innovative solutions can save lives and protect livelihoods, and we urgently need more support to continue this vital work.”
In 2024, the WFP reportedly acted before 16 extreme weather events struck across 13 countries.
“Early warning messages were sent to nearly 14 million people, and 1.3 million households received cash transfers to stock up on food and protect livelihoods ahead of extreme weather events. Every dollar invested in anticipatory action saves up to seven dollars in losses and faster recovery,” the programme explained.
The WFP noted that it additionally helps countries to ensure that disaster risk insurance payouts triggered by extreme weather events are used for social subsidies to help the most vulnerable.
In 2024, WFP provided $361 million in financial protection to over six million people through its disaster insurance instruments across 37 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean.
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