November 2015: The Food Security Climate Resilience (FoodSECuRE) Facility, an initiative of the World Food Programme (WFP), aims to secure US$400 million to enable governments to quickly unlock funding to scale up food and nutrition responses as well as disaster risk reduction activities before climate disasters occur. The WFP and its partner, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), have launched activities in five countries, with fast-tracked implementation in Zimbabwe and Guatemala to respond to El Niño.

FoodSECuRE is based on the recognition that climate change disproportionately affects the most food-insecure people around the world, most of whom live in countries that are prone to natural hazards and face high levels of environmental degradation. The new instrument aims to significantly change traditional response mechanisms by providing swift, reliable and targeted financial support to well-planned and programmed community level resilience-building activities that increase capacity and reduce climate risks both before and after a shock.

With about 40% of the WFP’s current operations involving activities to reduce disaster risk and build resilience, FoodSECuRE further seeks to reinforce these efforts, especially in light of the expected rise in losses and damage from climate extremes, while also reducing the overall cost of emergency response.

WFP estimates that it will need to secure between US$200 and $400 million to enable full operationalization of the facility. The first phase of the project is underway in five countries – Guatemala, Niger, Sudan, the Philippines and Zimbabwe – and entails feasibility assessment, design and development of operational procedures in partnership with the respective governments, partners and donors. [WFP Announcement] [FoodSECuRE Brochure]