Expanding Our Reach: Supporting 4.2 Million People Across West Africa
In 2026, the Global Food Programme significantly expanded its life-saving assistance across West Africa, reaching a record 4.2 million people, including 1.29 million children under five. Through an expanded presence in 16 countries and deep roots within local communities, the programme delivered essential nutrition and sustained vital food access where it was needed most.
By nearly doubling local partnerships and establishing resilient regional corridors, the programme ensured a continuous food supply during critical periods like the rainy season and rapid mobilization during emergency flood events. This localized approach centers our efforts on strengthening community resilience and nourishing the region’s future.
Strengthening Community Roots and Regional Access
2026 was a year of transformative growth, centering our mission on the people we serve. By expanding operations to 16 countries, including Guinea-Bissau and Togo, we brought vital assistance to new communities. Central to this success was our commitment to localization; we nearly doubled our network of local partner organizations to 204, ensuring that our support is deeply rooted in the communities themselves.
By sourcing 61% of staple goods regionally, we created a more resilient supply chain that prioritizes local availability and speed. This allowed us to keep food flowing even during the most challenging weather, ensuring that families in the most remote areas maintained access to nutrition throughout the rainy season.
Ensuring Care and Accountability for Every Family
Delivering meaningful impact requires careful attention to the well-being of every participant. This year, we completed a major transition to mobile data collection, digitizing 87% of all monitoring visits. This shift allows our teams to see immediate updates on community health and food coverage on the ground.
With these insights, programme coordinators can adapt quickly to changing nutritional needs and distribution gaps. Furthermore, this enhanced care and tracking contributed to a 59% reduction in warehouse losses, ensuring that resources are preserved and successfully reach the families who depend on them.
Nourishing Communities and Schools
The ultimate measure of our success is the health and well-being of the people we support. In 2026, we reached 4.2 million people with food assistance, a 24% increase over the previous year. Our school-linked programmes saw significant growth, with daily meals now served in 151 school districts.
- Community Kitchens: Increased by 52% to 472 active locations.
- Nutrition Monitoring: 1.29 million children under five are now enrolled, a 23% increase.
- Emergency Response: Nine emergency responses were activated, including a major flood response in September, with all reaching the 72-hour mobilization target.
Looking to 2027
The efficiency gains of 2026 have established a stable foundation for the future. In the coming year, the Global Food Programme plans to extend community kitchen coverage to every enrolled school district and deepen nutrition monitoring for children under five. Our goal remains clear: leveraging operational excellence to reach every child who needs us.