WFP@COP29: As Devastating Storms Hit Asia and the Caribbean, Climate Commitments from COP29 Must Turn into Action

ROME – Multiple storms battering coastlines in the Caribbean and the Philippines serve as a reminder of the urgent need for decisive climate action to support communities facing the brunt of extreme weather, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today. This call to action comes as the world reflects on the outcomes of the soon-to-conclude UN Climate Change Conference, COP29. 

"Floods, fierce storms and record-breaking heatwaves are pushing millions into hunger. For communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis, every storm deepens their struggles—this cycle must stop”, said WFP Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation, Rania Dagash-Kamara. “At WFP, we are driving decisive climate solutions in fragile contexts, but we need governments and partners to prioritize this pressing problem.”

In recent weeks, powerful back-to-back storms have affected millions of people and left communities destitute. In the Caribbean, Cuba was hit by two major hurricanes, a tropical storm drenched the Central American coast and intense rainfall unleashed flooding and mudslides in Colombia and several small island states. The storms destroyed homes, crops and plunged Cuba into a nationwide blackout for several days.

WFP was able to pre-position food ahead of the storms and working together with governments, plans to reach 525,000 people. Across the region, WFP is also scaling-up climate solutions, including early warning systems, anticipatory action and insurance to protect food-insecure communities. During this hurricane season, WFP supported Caribbean nations in their preparedness efforts and to ensure that climate insurance payouts triggered by category-5 Hurricane Beryl in July are used for social subsidies to get the most vulnerable back on their feet.

In the Philippines, an unprecedented six typhoons struck within a single month, affecting nearly 10 million people in all but one region, and displacing over 1.1 million. This marks the first time since records began in 1951, that six typhoons have hit the country within such a short period. Two of these storms were categorized as super typhoons, causing over $308 million in damages to infrastructure, housing and agriculture.

WFP is supporting the Philippine Government’s emergency response by transporting food packs for 840,000 people. WFP is also providing cash assistance to over 72,000 people and data connectivity via satellite communications for responders and more than 500 displaced people. Last year, WFP launched the Preparedness and Response Excellence in Philippines Programme to strengthen Government capacities through digitalization, policy development and climate-proofing operation centers.

Across the globe, rising temperatures, frequent droughts, recurring floods and erratic weather patterns are destroying lives and livelihoods at a relentless pace, making it harder for families to grow food and rebuild after disasters. In 2023 alone, climate extremes drove 72 million people into crisis or emergency levels of hunger, marking a 26 percent increase from the previous year.

In 2023, WFP supported nearly 18 million people before and after climate shocks, emphasizing long-term solutions. This support ranged from anticipatory cash transfers and early warning information to climate risk insurance and integrated climate solutions - combining climate-smart agriculture, disaster risk reduction, value chain development and vocational training.

However, scaling up these efforts remains critical. At COP29, WFP focused on driving accelerated climate action and securing financing for conflict-affected regions, where communities are most vulnerable and least equipped to adapt to the growing impacts of climate change.

Note to the editor: High resolution photos here.

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.