Sunday Times 2
World Food Programme wins Nobel
UN – With the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize bestowed on the Rome-based World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations and its affiliated agencies continue to hold a near-monopoly of one of the world’s most prestigious annual awards.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the WFP as the “world’s first responder on the frontlines of food insecurity.” In a world of plenty, he pointed out, it is unconscionable that hundreds of millions go to bed each night hungry. Millions more are now on the precipice of famine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The women and men of the WFP brave danger and distance to deliver life-saving sustenance to those devastated by conflict, to people suffering because of disaster, to children and families uncertain about their next meal,” Guterres declared. He also singled out David Beasley, WFP Executive Director, and the entire staff of the World Food Programme, for advancing the values of the United Nations every day and serving the cause of “we the peoples” as the Organisation marks its 75th anniversary year.
Beginning with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize also include Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, the UN children’s agency UNICEF, the International Labour Organization, the UN Peacekeeping Forces, the United Nations and Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
The award also went to the predecessor of the United Nations: League of Nations for its work on aiding refugees.
“It’s because of the WFP family: they are out there in the most difficult, complex places in the world, where there’s war, conflict, climate extremes – it doesn’t matter. They are out there and they deserve this award …
“This is the first time I’ve been speechless … This is unbelievable. And Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow!”, an exhilarated Beasley, a former Governor of the US state of South Carolina, said.
Dr John Coonrod, Executive Vice President of the Washington-based Hunger Project, told IPS: “An excellent choice”
“In a world where conflict has forced millions to go hungry, the World Food Programme brings relief and dignity. UN agencies like WFP take on the toughest challenges in the world and deserve everyone’s support,” said Dr Coonrod, who is also Coordinator and co-founder of the Movement for Community-led Development.
Danielle Nierenberg, President of the US-based Food Tank, told IPS there are few organizations in the world poised to confront the multiple challenges of the pandemic, the climate crisis, inequality, and food and nutrition insecurity, like the World Food Programme.
“During COVID-19, they have continued to be on the frontlines confronting all of these challenges. Their work has never been more important or necessary
“I’m grateful that the Nobel Commission decided to make a statement this year commending and organization that has as its mission to nourish the world,” said Nierenberg.
Gernot Laganda, Chief / Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction Programmes at WFP told IPS: “As WFP staff, we are humbled and moved by this honor. Many colleagues have spent years – some decades – working to increase food security for hungry people who have had their lives torn apart by conflict, climatic extremes or economic shocks”
He said some of his colleagues have lost their lives in the line of duty.
“Every WFP staff, from Executive Director David Beasley to our local colleagues working in the most difficult conditions in the deep field, sees the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s vote as a recognition that the 690 million hungry people in the world have the right to live an active and healthy life, free from conflict and with safety nets against increasing climate extremes and disasters”.
“This recognition will inspire all of us to work even harder, to save lives and change lives on the pathway to Zero Hunger,” said Laganda.