* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Around one in nine people in the world goes to bed hungry every day. Although the number of people suffering from hunger worldwide has fallen by around 20% over the last decade, the fight against food insecurity remains very high on the global agenda.
The European Commission plays a leading role in providing food and nutrition assistance during emergencies. In 2014, the European Commission provided €349 million – almost a third of its annual humanitarian budget – for humanitarian food assistance projects, which were implemented by partner organisations in 54 countries.
To ensure aid is delivered effectively and efficiently, the European Commission adapts its food assistance to each specific crisis situation. For instance, when food is available in shops, but people cannot afford to purchase it, the European Commission provides its assistance in the form of cash. This is often better than shipping sacks of food across the globe, as it supports the local economy and boosts self-reliance. Multi-purpose cash transfer programmes aim to address the basic needs of victims of disasters and conflicts in a more coherent and dignified way. They respond to different humanitarian needs, including food.
On the occasion of today's World Food Day 2015, read some of the examples of European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO)'s food assistance distributed via cash.
Help in hard times for Syrian refugees
Digital cash for refugees in Kenya’s Kakuma camps
Niger: A family meal with Mariama
