World’s largest humanitarian organization World Food Programme (W.F.P.), has been awarded the prestigious 2020 Nobel peace prize.
The W.F.P. was bestowed with the annual award following its “contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.”
The W.F.P., which became the 101st winner of the prize, won 10 million Swedish kronor ($1.1m; £875,000). The organization said it was “deeply humbled” to have won an award where 107 organizations and 211 individuals were nominated.
In its latest tweet, the organization extended its “deepest thanks,” stating that the recognition was a “powerful reminder to the world that peace and #ZeroHunger go hand-in-hand.”
After the coronavirus pandemic plagued almost every country in the world, the Norweigan Nobel committee sang praises on the W.F.P. for its demonstration of “an impressive ability to intensify its efforts.”
“In countries such as Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan and Burkina Faso, the combination of violent conflict and the pandemic has led to a dramatic rise in the number of people living on the brink of starvation.”
Norweigan Nobel committee
Berit Reiss-Andersen, chairwoman of the Norweigan Nobel Committee, said the award also served notice to the international community to prioritize funding of the U.N. agency sufficiently to reduce the number of people starving.
“It’s a very important U.N. organisation. The U.N. plays a key role in upholding human rights. Food is one of our most basic needs.”
Berit Reiss-Andersen
She added that the W.F.P. would still be a worthy awardee even without the current coronavirus pandemic. The virus only strengthened their case to be a worthy recipient of the prize, citing the world’s need for multilateralism during the crisis.
Living up to their objective to deliver food assistance to nations worldwide, the U.N. agency could lend the needed aid to almost 100 million people in 88 countries severely hit by acute food insecurity and hunger.
The W.F.P. was established way back in 1961 when former United States President Dwight D Eisenhower called for a “workable scheme” to formulate an organization that provides food with the U.N.’s support.
Last year, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was awarded the coveted Nobel peace prize, following his courageous acts to achieve peace with Eritrea.
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