Overview of the 2007 Programme of Work

As the end of 2007 nears, the number of people the World Food Programme is seeking to support has risen to 83 million. The amount of food assistance required to assist these people is valued at US$3.4 billion. Considering resources mobilized thus far in 2007, the current level of funding falls short by some US$653 million.

Additional resources amounting to approximately US$800 million are required before the end of 2007 to ensure uninterrupted

Favourable prospects for 2007 world cereal crops, mainly following expansion of plantings in Europe and North America, coupled with generally satisfactory weather conditions.

FAO's latest estimates put global cereal output in 2006 at just under 2 billion tonnes, 2.7 percent lower than in the previous year but still above average. In percentage terms production of wheat declined the most, then coarse grains, while the reduction for rice is seen to be marginal.

The bulk of the decline in the 2006 world cereal output was among the major producing and exporting countries.

Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP)
The CAP is much more than an appeal for money. It is an inclusive and coordinated programme cycle of:

(a) strategic planning leading to a Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP);

(b) resource mobilisation (leading to a Consolidated Appeal or a Flash Appeal);

(c) coordinated programme implementation;

(d) joint monitoring and evaluation;

(e) revision, if necessary; and

(f) reporting on results.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL FOREWORD TO THE HUMANITARIAN APPEAL 2006
The past year has been a wretched one for millions of disaster victims. It dawned with the Indian Ocean tsunami, saw a hurricane season unrivalled in living memory strike the Americas, and included South Asia’s devastating earthquake. Through it all, other tragic crises persisted in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Like never before, the year stretched and tested the capabilities of aid agencies, and the will of survivors.

I speak to you today on behalf of 31 million victims of calamity in 26 countries. They desperately need your help. I am here to seek it.

Through this Appeal, we ask for $4.7 billion on behalf of people who are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. They are the survivors of conflicts, natural disasters and often, terrible combinations of the two.

They are women and children threatened