Guinea-Bissau is a low-income, food-deficit country in West Africa. Despite economic opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, tourism and mining, the country faces significant development challenges.

Nearly 65 percent of the population live below the poverty line, with high infant and maternal mortality and a chronic malnutrition rate of over 28 percent.

Guinea-Bissau is the fifth most vulnerable country to the effects of climate change, with coastal flooding in particular affecting agriculture. The war in Ukraine is causing price volatility, especially for imported rice and wheat flour. In addition, a fall in the price of cashew nuts is reducing the purchasing power of most Bissau-Guineans, who depend on the crop for their incomes.

Gender inequality persists, with women and girls subject to gender-based violence, harmful traditional practices and high maternal mortality rates.

The World Food Programme works with the Government to address the needs of vulnerable men, women, girls and boys. We support rural communities in building resilience to climate shocks and strengthening their livelihoods, while backing the Government’s efforts to establish an inclusive, nutrition-sensitive and climate-shock-responsive social protection system.

What the World Food Programme is doing in Guinea-Bissau

Crisis preparedness and response

WFP plays a leading role in coordinating UN efforts on emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and the strengthening of early-warning systems. WFP provides cash assistance to ensure that households affected by climate and socioeconomic shocks can meet their immediate needs. In collaboration with the Government of Guinea-Bissau and key partners, WFP is supporting the development of a comprehensive national disaster risk management strategy. This includes the institutionalization of anticipatory action protocols, the development of risk-informed response plans, and the integration of community-based early-warning systems. Through its technical leadership and operational footprint, WFP aims to strengthen national systems and foster a proactive approach to crisis response, protecting lives, securing livelihoods and reducing humanitarian need before, during and after emergencies.

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Partners and donors

Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in Guinea-Bissau is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
African Development Bank Denmark European Commission FAO Finland

Operations in Guinea-Bissau

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Contacts

Office

Bairro D’Achada (Coqueiros), Avenida Pansau Na Isna
Bissau
Guinea-Bissau

Phone
+245 96 632 55 53; +245 95 603 28 38
Fax
-
Email
[email protected]
For media inquiries
[email protected]
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