The World Food Programme mourns tragic loss of Ekta Adikhari on Ethiopian Airlines flight
Ekta was a promising and committed young professional who was committed to using her skills to ensure food reached some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Originally from Ghorkha, Nepal, Ekta studied International Business at London Metropolitan University. In 2015 Ekta joined WFP to support the humanitarian sector in her home country and worked tirelessly throughout the earthquake emergency as part of the logistics cluster.
She travelled to Papua New Guinea after the April 2018 earthquake, where she supported families to access emergency food assistance. In recognition of her strengths in the sector Ekta was appointed as an international consultant taking up a position in Ethiopia in September last year. She began her international career working on the emergency response at Dilla in SNNP region, and she moved to the Country Office in Addis Ababa as a Supply Chain Officer in December, 2018.
“We are all in shock at this sudden tragedy. Ekta was a dedicated and talented young woman and we knew her as a vibrant, enthusiastic person who brought joy to our office,” said Pippa Bradford, WFP Nepal Country Director. “Our hearts go out to her family, loved-ones, and friends wishing them strength in this moment of extraordinary pain and loss.”
In a tribute to Ekta Adhikari and others from UN who lost their lives WFP Executive Director David Beasley said, “As we mourn, let us reflect that our colleagues were willing to travel and work far from their homes and loved ones to help make the world a better place to live. That was their calling, as it is for the rest of the WFP family.”
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The United Nations World Food Programme - saving lives in emergencies and changing lives for millions through sustainable development. WFP works in more than 80 countries around the world, feeding people caught in conflict and disasters, and laying the foundations for a better future.
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