When the Waters Rose: How WFP Delivered Food and Hope During Pakistan’s 2022 Floods
Introduction: A Country Underwater
In mid-2022, Pakistan was hit by catastrophic monsoon floods that submerged one-third of the country. Entire villages were washed away, over 33 million people affected, and thousands lost their lives or livelihoods.
Amid this national emergency, the World Food Programme (WFP) became one of the first and largest humanitarian responders — delivering food, nutrition, and logistical support to millions in need.
“We were stranded with nothing to eat. Then a boat came — not with rescue, but with food. It was the first sign that someone remembered us.”
— Shazia, flood survivor, Sindh
🚨 WFP’s Rapid Emergency Response
Within days of the floods, WFP activated a Level 3 emergency, its highest level of response, and deployed teams across the hardest-hit provinces:
- Sindh
- Balochistan
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)
- Punjab
Key Emergency Actions Included:
- Distribution of emergency food rations
- Supply of ready-to-use nutritious foods (RUTF) for children
- Establishment of logistics hubs and supply chains
- Coordination with NDMA, PDMA, and other UN agencies
🍚 What Was Delivered?
WFP’s emergency food baskets typically included:
- Wheat flour
- Pulses (lentils/beans)
- Vegetable oil
- Salt
- High-energy biscuits
- Supplementary food for children (Plumpy’Nut)
Between August–December 2022:
- Over 2.7 million people reached with food or cash assistance
- Over 400,000 children and women supported with nutrition services
- 4,500 metric tons of food pre-positioned in flood zones
- Logistics support provided to 18+ humanitarian partners
🏥 Nutrition in Crisis: Saving Mothers and Children
Flooding brought a second disaster — malnutrition. Clean water was scarce. Diseases spread fast. Families could no longer feed their children.
WFP set up:
- Mobile nutrition centers for screening and treatment
- Supplementary feeding programs for children under 5
- Specialized support for pregnant and lactating mothers
- Coordination with UNICEF and WHO on health responses
“We saw babies with sunken eyes and wasted bodies. WFP’s nutrition packs became a lifeline.”
— Community Health Worker, Dadu
🚚 The Logistics Backbone: Moving Food Across Chaos
As floodwaters cut off roads and isolated districts, WFP’s logistics capacity became central:
- Used boats, helicopters, and trucks to reach stranded areas
- Set up temporary warehouses and fuel depots
- Supported the Government of Pakistan’s humanitarian supply chain
WFP’s Humanitarian Response Facility in Sukkur became a vital hub for storing and dispatching aid.
“In disaster zones, food is only as good as your ability to move it. WFP delivered — over water, land, and air.”
— Logistics Coordinator, WFP Pakistan
🧭 Challenges on the Ground
Despite its massive effort, WFP faced hurdles:
- Washed-out roads and damaged bridges delayed deliveries
- Funding gaps threatened continuity of relief
- Safety risks for humanitarian workers in remote areas
- Enormous need — over 9 million people were in immediate need of food aid
WFP issued repeated calls to the international community to scale up funding, warning of long-term hunger and child stunting.
💬 Community Voices
“They gave us food before any government official arrived.”
— Javed, father of five, Jhal Magsi
“For my malnourished baby, it was Plumpy’Nut from WFP that made the difference.”
— Zohra, mother, Khairpur
🧾 Final Thoughts: When Food Means Survival
WFP’s response to the 2022 floods was not just about aid — it was about restoring dignity in the darkest of moments.
By combining rapid logistics, tailored nutrition, and ground partnerships, WFP stood beside Pakistan when it mattered most. The emergency may have passed, but the recovery continues — and so does WFP’s work.
“In a disaster, food is hope. WFP gave us both.”
