MOPAN Assessment Highlights Crucial Areas for World Food Programme Amid Funding Cuts and Restructuring

The Multilateral Organisation Performance Assessment Network (MOPAN) has released its latest assessment of the World Food Programme (WFP), emphasising both strengths and critical areas requiring urgent action to ensure the organisation remains fit for purpose in the face of acute #global hunger and escalating crises.

The assessment was championed by MOPAN members Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome , with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkey acting as observer.

Suzanne Ahialegbedzi Steensen , head of the MOPAN Secretariat, acknowledged WFP’s significant contributions to addressing food insecurity around the world at yesterday’s launch. Talking to the Executive Board, she stated,

“WFP has exceptional global presence, scale and speed of response, technical expertise in many areas, and committed staff. However, MOPAN’s report shows that WFP must act in four key areas if it is to perform and deliver results in a period of funding cuts and internal restructuring.”

Here are the key areas highlighted in the assessment:

Shoring Up the Organisation’s Stability

The MOPAN assessment highlights the need for World Food Programme to bolster its internal stability. As the #organisation navigates structural changes, it must ensure that ongoing restructuring is seen through, especially regarding its regional presence. In addition, WFP could further clarify the "saving lives/changing lives" mandate in a context of significantly reduced resources, hasten the integration of siloed IT systems, and improve knowledge management.

Addressing Financial Challenges

With ongoing funding cuts, WFP faces substantial financial constraints. MOPAN’s report highlights the need to sustain donor confidence. This includes shoring up relationships with key funders, assuring donors that the causes of aid diversion have been dealt with, and stepping up efforts to seek diversified funding sources to maintain and expand WFP’s critical programs.

Maintaining Access to Vulnerable People

The ability to reach and support the most vulnerable populations is at the core of WFP’s mission. The MOPAN assessment stresses the importance of working with member states to maintain and improve access to these communities, particularly in new conflict zones and hard-to-reach areas. This will require core work to negotiate aid delivery, ensure security measures to protect both staff and partners, and address the issues around reputational risk facing the organisation.

Strengthening the Relationship with Staff

Staff are the backbone of WFP’s operations, and their well-being and engagement are crucial for success. MOPAN’s report advises strengthening the relationship with employees by addressing concerns about contractual terms and incentives, and fostering a positive #organisational culture by improving communication between senior leadership and staff.

WFP’s Commitment to Action

Cindy McCain , Executive Director of WFP, responded to the assessment, stating,

“WFP appreciates MOPAN's work and its valuable insights, which support our efforts to continuously improve performance. We remain steadfast in our commitment to maximizing the impact of every donation we receive, and to ensuring that our global operations are even more efficient, innovative and strategic, as we work every day to save lives and deliver lasting solutions to hunger.”

The MOPAN assessment serves as a crucial guide for WFP as it navigates these challenging times. By addressing these key areas, WFP aims to enhance its operational #effectiveness and continue its vital mission of combating #global hunger.

For more information and detailed insights from the MOPAN assessment, please visit the WFP and MOPAN website.