News

Latest updates

23 July 2013

WFP Launches Operation To Reach Displaced People As Violence Flares In South Sudan

“We believe these people need food now and cannot wait for much longer after hiding in the bush for weeks. We are sparing no effort to provide lifesaving assistance, but we need more food supplies in the country and more helicopters to take this food to those who most need it” Read more

WFP South Sudan Country Director, Chris Nikoi

23 July 2013

Ten Years Into The Darfur Conflict, New Waves Of Displacement Put Pressure On WFP To Feed More Vulnerable Families

“We are deeply concerned with the developing situation which threatens fragile food security in this region, This is the season when people should be planting and working on farms but instead they are fleeing their villages, a significant number of them have even fled to the refugee camps in neighbouring Chad.” Read more

WFP Sudan Country Director Adnan Khan.

23 July 2013

WFP Chief Sees Successful Rural Development In Rwanda; Affirms Commitment To Sustainable Food Security

“I met with displaced people and refugees on both sides of the DRC-Rwanda border, and they had one message: they want peace, and peace that will last, so they can return to their families and their homes” Read more

WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin

22 July 2013

WFP Executive Director Calls On All Armed Groups In DRC To Permit Humanitarian Access

“It’s important to understand that UN humanitarian agencies and their NGO partners have only one objective, which is to provide lifesaving assistance to people in need. We in the humanitarian community are neutral, impartial and independent, and our work is based only on needs, regardless of nationality, race, gender, religious, belief, class or political opinions. Our only concern is the people we serve.” Read more

WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin

18 July 2013

Hunger Costs Swaziland SZL 783 Million Per Year

Swaziland loses some SZL 783 million (US$92 million) annually - as much as 3.1 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - due to the effects of undernutrition. This is the alarming conclusion of a new study entitled The Cost of Hunger in Africa (COHA), released in Swaziland today. Read more

12 July 2013

WFP Executive Director On 10-Day Visit To See Hunger Challenges And Solutions In Africa

[Editor’s note: after this press release was issued, the itinerary of Executive Director Cousin’s trip was revised. Her planned visit to Zimbabwe was postponed and her trip reduced to eight days, due to scheduling changes which required high-level meetings in Harare to be moved to a future date, yet to be determined.]

The UN World Food Programme’s Executive Director Ertharin Cousin is scheduled to depart tomorrow on a 10-day visit to four African countries. Her trip to Zimbabwe, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda will focus on hunger challenges and on WFP-supported local solutions that are helping battle under nutrition and build sustainable food security. Read more

27 June 2013

WFP Executive Director Briefs Pope On Syria And Palestine In Private Audience

“As an advocate for policies that will help eliminate hunger, support just peace processes and promote fruitful dialogue among people as well as religions, the Catholic Church carries enormous global influence. We need the voice of His Holiness. I implored him to please use his influence. In response, His Holiness thanked me for the work of WFP and confirmed the commitment of the Catholic Church, including Caritas and CRS, for humanitarian access in conflict situations like Syria and to advocate for the reduction of structural poverty globally.” Read more

WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin

24 June 2013

WFP Executive Director Highlights Food And Nutrition Needs In Pakistan As Priority

“Pakistan is a country of such rich potential, but development is shackled by the struggle of the most vulnerable to meet their daily food needs, and by the long-term impact of under-nutrition. Food security and good nutrition are the bedrock of progress. During my visit I have reaffirmed WFP’s commitment to work with the Government of Pakistan to achieve the goals of eliminating chronic malnutrition and food insecurity.” Read more

WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin

21 June 2013

UN Agency Heads Raise Alarm At Rising Levels Of Food Insecurity In Palestine

“High food prices and low wages mean that 1.6 million Palestinians don’t know from where their next meal is coming. Yet food security IS security. Food security is a vital component for sustained peace across the region.” Read more

WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin

19 June 2013

On World Refugee Day, Needs Of Displaced Everywhere Must Be Remembered

"In 2012, WFP provided food assistance to almost 10 million people forced to move – refugees, internally displaced people and those who have been fortunate enough to return home again. This food, along with the relief provided by our partners, brings some security to otherwise uncertain lives.

As an international community, we must continue to advocate on behalf of displaced people everywhere. Whether fleeing conflict, natural disaster or hunger, they must be at the front of our minds." Read more

WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin