Deadline: 02-Dec-2025

The World Food Programme (WFP) has launched the 2026 Red Sea Targeting Call for Proposals to identify partners who can strengthen food assistance targeting in Sudan’s Red Sea region. The initiative aims to ensure transparent, evidence-based beneficiary selection amid a severe and escalating food insecurity crisis. Partners will support community engagement, vulnerability data management, and improved accountability systems to ensure aid reaches those most in need.

WFP 2026 Red Sea Targeting Call for Proposals

The World Food Programme is seeking qualified partners to improve targeting systems that guide food assistance delivery in the Red Sea region of Sudan. This call responds to Sudan’s rapidly worsening humanitarian emergency and the urgent need for fair, transparent, and evidence-driven beneficiary identification.

Context: Sudan’s Escalating Food Insecurity Crisis

Sudan has been in deep crisis since conflict erupted in April 2023. Current assessments indicate:

• 24.6 million people face acute food insecurity at crisis levels or higher

• Hundreds of thousands are in catastrophic (IPC 5) conditions

• Famine is already occurring or imminent in areas of North Darfur, West Kordofan, and South Kordofan

• Severe funding gaps have forced ration cuts and suspension of aid in several locations
  These conditions require precise targeting to ensure scarce resources reach the most vulnerable households.

Focus Areas of the Call for Proposals

WFP seeks partners able to strengthen targeting systems through:

• Improved food security and food assistance outcomes

• Transparent, two-way communication with communities

• Inclusive participation and strengthened accountability to affected people

• More accurate identification of eligible beneficiaries

• Reduced inclusion and exclusion errors in assistance lists

• Enhanced community trust through participatory targeting processes

• Local capacity building for evidence-based targeting and data management

• Use of vulnerability data to support fair and transparent beneficiary selection

• Establishment or strengthening of feedback and complaints mechanisms

Why This Matters

In conflict settings with limited access and shrinking resources, effective targeting ensures:

• Aid reaches the most food-insecure households

• Communities trust humanitarian actors

• Errors and manipulation of beneficiary lists are minimized

• Decision-making is based on data, not pressure or influence

• Local partners become capable stewards of transparent humanitarian processes

Who Is Eligible?

Organizations best positioned to apply include:

• Local NGOs with operational presence in Sudan’s Red Sea region

• International NGOs with proven expertise in targeting, data management, or accountability

• Community-based organizations with experience supporting humanitarian programmes

• Agencies capable of establishing feedback systems and community engagement platforms

• Institutions with strong data collection, vulnerability assessment, or monitoring capacity
  Eligible applicants must demonstrate:

• Ability to work in insecure or access-constrained environments

• Proven systems for data protection and ethical data use

• Capacity for inclusive participation and community sensitization

• Experience in managing humanitarian targeting or food assistance programmes

What Selected Partners Will Do

Partners will support WFP by implementing activities such as:

1. Strengthening Targeting Systems

• Conducting vulnerability assessments

• Supporting beneficiary registration and verification

• Reducing inclusion/exclusion errors

2. Enhancing Accountability to Affected People (AAP)

• Running feedback and complaints mechanisms

• Facilitating safe, two-way communication with communities

• Ensuring transparency about targeting criteria

3. Building Local Capacity

• Training local authorities or community committees

• Strengthening local data management and analysis skills

4. Improving Community Engagement

• Facilitating consultations and sensitization sessions

• Ensuring marginalized groups participate in decision-making

How to Apply (General Guidance)

While WFP will provide full instructions in the official call package, applicants should prepare to:

1. Review WFP targeting guidelines and humanitarian principles.

2. Present a clear methodology for community-based, evidence-driven targeting.

3. Demonstrate organizational capacity for data collection and analysis.

4. Show prior experience with AAP, feedback systems, and safe communication channels.

5. Submit a technical proposal with objectives, activities, and monitoring plan.

6. Include a detailed budget aligned with activity requirements.

7. Provide documentation of legal registration, credentials, and relevant past performance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Relying solely on lists from local authorities without verification

• Omitting marginalized groups or failing to ensure inclusive participation

• Weak data protection measures

• Proposals lacking clarity on methodology

• Submitting budgets without justification or cost breakdown

• Overstating operational capacity in insecure areas

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the main purpose of the call?

To identify partners who can strengthen fair, transparent, and evidence-based targeting of food assistance in the Red Sea region.

2. Why is targeting a priority in Sudan now?

Because 24.6 million people face acute food insecurity, and limited resources must be directed to those in greatest need.

3. What types of activities will WFP prioritize?

Vulnerability assessments, community engagement, feedback mechanisms, and improved data management.

4. Are local organizations preferred?

Local partners are highly valued due to their contextual knowledge and access, but INGOs with strong technical expertise may also apply.

5. Does the call focus only on food distribution?

No—it focuses on targeting, which determines who receives assistance, not the delivery itself.

6. Must partners work directly in the Red Sea region?

Yes, operational presence or demonstrated ability to work in the region is essential.

7. Can new organizations apply?

Yes, if they meet technical and operational requirements and can ensure data protection and accountability.

Conclusion

The WFP 2026 Red Sea Targeting Call for Proposals is a vital opportunity to strengthen humanitarian targeting systems amid one of the world’s worst hunger crises. By improving transparency, data-driven decision-making, and community trust, selected partners will help ensure that scarce food assistance reaches those who need it most. If you want, I can also generate a short grant alert, meta description, social media caption, email newsletter version, or SEO title options.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.