Throughout the 14 years, WFP has been collaborating in close partnership with World Vision International, International Organization for Migration, Reliable Future, CARE and other humanitarian organizations and has maintained a close partnership with the Government counterparts at all levels, particularly with the Office of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs. In recognition of the role WFP has played in the history of Azerbaijan at crucial time, his Excellency, the Head of State has awarded the then (2003) WFP Country Director with “Tereggi” medal, being one of the highest government awards. This was the first time in Azerbaijani history when the contribution of an international humanitarian organization was acknowledged at such a high level.
With Azerbaijan’s economy getting stronger, and the government’s commitment to improving living conditions of IDPs through food assistance and resettlement programs over the past years, WFP has been able to reduce its caseload of beneficiaries gradually, with a completely take over of the case load by the Government by June 2008. Over the past three years (2006–08), the Government of Azerbaijan for the first time became a donor to WFP in Azerbaijan, contributing more than US $ 3 million in kind to support WFP’s activities for the displaced population.