The U.N.'s World Food Program designed the game to raise awareness among young people about world hunger -- and the logistical challenges of delivering emergency aid to tens of thousands of people quickly.

Billed as the first humanitarian video game, "Food Force" was unveiled at the International Children's Book fair in the northern Italian town of Bologna.

"Communicating with children today means using the latest technology," said Neil Gallagher, the Rome-based agency's director of communications. "Children in the developed world don't know what it's like to go to bed threatened by starvation."

The PC-based educational game, which the agency said was unsuitable for children under 8, is set on the fictitious island of Sheylan. After an initial briefing on the crisis and challenges in the field, players are required to accomplish six different missions, ranging from using a reconnaissance helicopter to count hungry people -- to dropping them food aid without endangering their lives.

The full screen, 3-D video game is available for free downloading at www.food-force.com. Players can also compete with others around the world for the highest score.

The game is only available in English, but versions in other languages, including French, are planned, the agency said.