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Infrastructure is a key component in the fight against hunger. The World Food Programme (WFP)’s ’Building for a Sustainable Future’ vision embodies a belief that bold infrastructure paves the way for reaching global humanitarian objectives and ensures a better future for the people we serve.

Our engineering work bridges the divide between humanitarian and development activities. Whether stemming from an emergency or the request of a government for technical assistance, an investment in infrastructure is an investment in a country’s recovery, resilience and long-term food security.

Globally, there are approximately 200 WFP engineers, architects and technicians working in 45 countries on projects valued at over US$100 million in total. These projects connect communities to markets, provide easier access to food and lower the risk of devastating food insecurity.

WFP engineers get the job done even in the most remote locations and under extremely challenging circumstances. The team provides the most cost-effective, high-quality, timely and sustainable infrastructure to help both WFP and the broader humanitarian community reach those in need and have safe facilities to store food supplies.

Whenever possible, WFP Engineering proposes cost-effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in our humanitarian operations and new infrastructure. For example, the newly inaugurated safe evacuation centres in Cambodia are supplied with groundwater pumps powered by solar energy. Projects implemented in WFP guesthouses, country offices and warehouses include energy-efficient lighting installations (LED Lights), high-efficiency A/C units, solar water heaters, and upgrading or installing insulation or shading material to reduce heating/cooling demand.

WFP Engineering oversees the entire process of an infrastructure project, from the initial planning and design solutions, providing a range of technical assessments, surveys and construction management. Rigorous contracting standards are applied to every project.

For more information or contact us at wfp.engineering@wfp.org.

Management Services

What we build

Access and logistics infrastructure
This includes building or rehabilitating roads, bridges, airstrips, shipping ports, storage facilities, humanitarian camps for UN workers, and modular bridges to secure access to food and non-food items.
Community infrastructure projects
These have included, among others: solar panels installation; school kitchens and community canteens; food distribution centres; market stalls, shops and bakeries for local traders; agricultural food production and irrigation schemes; water preservation and culverts for water diversion.
Safe and secure facilities
This includes the upgrading of WFP offices and warehouses, as well as activities such as refugee camp design, construction and maintenance. Since 2017, WFP Engineering has been supporting infrastructure in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, where 863,000 Rohingya refugees receive monthly assistance from the organization.