Since 8 December 2008 the European Union has been conducting a military operation to help deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. This military operation, named EUNAVFOR Somalia - Operation ATALANTA, was launched in support of Resolutions 1814, 1816, 1838 and 1846 which were adopted in 2008 by the United Nations Security Council. Its aim is to contribute to: • the protection of vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP) delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia; • the protection of vulnerable vessels sailing in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast and the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast. This operation - the European Union's first ever naval operation - is being conducted in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).