Expectations for expanding support from the WFP international community for the Nobel Peace Prize also on October 10 at 4:41
This year's Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to people in need of food assistance in conflict areas in the Middle East regarding the selection of the WFP (World Food Program), a UN agency that provides food assistance around the world. There were expectations that the support from the international community would spread.
The selection committee in Oslo, Norway, announced on the 9th that it chose the United Nations World Food Program for the Nobel Peace Prize, and the number of people suffering from hunger in the world will increase due to the spread of the new coronavirus. We evaluated the fact that we are strengthening our activities.
Of these, in Yemen, the Middle East, where the civil war has continued for more than five years, nearly 10 million people, or one in three people, are in a state of serious food shortage, and WFP's food assistance is a major factor in saving lives. Playing a role.
A man in his 50s in the capital, Sana'a, said, "Without the support of WFP, we would have been in a further food crisis. We hope that WFP will continue to support us."
WFP also provides food assistance in Palestine, of which about 70% of the population is sufficient in the Gaza Strip, where 2 million people live and Israel's economic blockade continues, partly due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection. It means that you cannot eat a good meal.
In the Gaza Strip, a 40-year-old housewife, who lives with her husband and six children, uses a voucher distributed by WFP to secure food for her family, saying, "I'm glad that WFP is doing award-winning activities. I think. I hope there will be more support for the people in Gaza who are in a closed state. "
On the other hand, in Syria, where about one in two people have been displaced due to the turmoil and civil war over 10 years, WFP's food assistance has not arrived due to lack of funds and the impact of the new coronavirus on logistics. There are also displaced persons.
A man living in evacuation in the northwestern province of Aleppo said, "I had to sell tractors to feed my family. With the Nobel Peace Prize as an opportunity, the international community is using WFP to reach us. I want you to support me. "
Residents of the Palestinian Gaza Strip "Activities Deserving Awards"
WFP has been active in Palestine since 1991 and is currently providing food assistance to a total of 350,000 people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Of these, half of the population is in poverty in the Gaza Strip, which is about the size of Tanegashima and has 2 million people, and about 70% of the residents have a sufficient diet, partly due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection. It means that it is in a state where it cannot be taken.
Daral Dahadu, 40, who lives with her husband and six children in the Gaza Strip, has been receiving WFP food assistance since 2008.
Dahadu's husband, who used to work as a construction worker, lost his job due to a shortage of construction materials due to the Israeli economic blockade.
WFP now distributes food vouchers worth more than $ 80 a month and shop at designated stores.
“Thanks to the support, we can buy vegetables, cheese, eggs, etc., which is an essential part of our family's life,” said Dahadu.
He also said that WFP was selected for the Nobel Peace Prize this year, "I am glad that I am doing activities that deserve the award."
In the future, he said, "I hope there will be more support for the people in Gaza who are in the blockade."
Continue to provide food support in Yemen, where the civil war in the quagmire continues
The WFP = World Food Program continues to provide food assistance in Yemen, the Middle East, which is facing a humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing civil war in the quagmire.
In Yemen, a civil war has continued for more than five years between the Hadi administration supported by Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement supported by Iran, and the food crisis has occurred due to the decline in agricultural production and the disruption of logistics. I'm falling.
According to WFP, nearly 10 million people, one in three people, are in a serious food shortage, making malnutrition especially serious for young children and women.
In addition to food assistance, WFP has been sending respirators and testing equipment to the site since the spread of the new coronavirus has a great impact on the lives of citizens.
On the other hand, according to the United Nations, the amount of assistance from each country required to purchase water and food to be distributed in Yemen is only 30% of the target, and securing funds is a major issue.
A man in his 50s in Sana'a, the capital city receiving WFP food support, said, "Without WFP support, Yemen would be in a further food crisis. WFP continues to support with the cooperation of the international community. I hope they will do it. "
A 25-year-old woman said, "I would like to say'Congratulations'. I hope that the Nobel Peace Prize will trigger donations and more food to be distributed to WFP."
On the other hand, chronic shortage of funds raises further concerns due to the impact of the new corona
WFP = World Food Program provides humanitarian assistance with only voluntary contributions, and in 2019, we received the highest contribution of 8 billion dollars and 840 billion yen in Japanese yen from each country. ..
The largest contributions were made in the United States in first place, Germany in second place, and the United Kingdom in third place.
However, as food conditions deteriorated in South Sudan in Africa and Yemen in the Middle East, and further support was needed in various parts of the country, WFP was in a chronic shortage of funds, and last year it needed $ 4.1 billion. , It means that there was a shortage of about 430 billion yen in Japanese yen.
Due to the effects of the new coronavirus, countries are being forced to take their own economic measures, and WFP says that it may be even more difficult to collect contributions.
WFP Deputy Secretary-General Abdullah said, "I hope this award will help raise funds." The Nobel Peace Prize will help spread understanding of WFP's activities and eliminate the shortage of funds. I showed my expectations.
WFP's top secretary-general, Beasley, has also called on the international community to provide financial support.
At an online meeting held by the United Nations Security Council last month, "In my home country of America, only 12 millionaires have a combined wealth of $ 1 trillion, three of whom are infected with the new corona virus. It is said that he has earned tens of billions of dollars in the process of expansion. Although he does not oppose making money, humankind is facing the greatest crisis he has never seen, "said the millionaire in the United States. Called for support.