ROME-- “Millions of people in the Horn of Africa still don’t know when or where they will find their next meal,” said Nancy Roman, WFP Director of Communications, Public Policy and Private Partnerships. “Working with MasterCard PayPass, we are engaging with the public in new and innovative ways to deliver vital assistance to the hungry.”

 

From 6 to 31 December, 2011, every purchase in an Alma Market made with a MasterCard PayPass card in Poland will support WFP’s emergency operations in the Horn of Africa. For each customer transaction, MasterCard will donate €0.20 to WFP—the first time the company has used its electronic payment mechanism to support a humanitarian cause by providing WFP with the funds it needs to give a nutritious meal to a hungry child.

 

WFP is aiming to reach almost 11 million people affected by the drought in the Horn of Africa with life-saving food and nutritional assistance. MasterCard’s campaign with Alma Markets is a welcome contribution to the US$ 79 million funding gap that WFP currently faces for its operations through March 2012.