Food aid has also been given for over 14 emergency response operations. The first WFP project undertaken in India was the development of poultry production and marketing in Uttar Pradesh in 1963. Currently, WFP is working in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Assam, Bihar, Kerala and Gujarat. Food aid is used as a preventive medicine. Promotes early childhood development Beneficiaries of supplementary nutrition also include pre-school workers.
Food aid supplements the daily food intake of vulnerable children and adolescent girls.
The long-term objective of this project is sustainable improvement in the food security of the most vulnerable tribal and scheduled caste population. Immediate food security is increased by providing food at concessional rates to daily labourers from the poor tribal and scheduled caste population. These beneficiaries are selected by the Forest Departments in the states of Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, all among the poorest states in India.