In countries in Africa where the organization is involved, the announcement of the award was welcomed by workers from the World Food Program. In particular, the Nobel Peace Prize emphasizes the link between security and the eradication of world hunger.
The workers of the World Food Program (WFP) in Burkina Faso were all in delight, describes our Ouagadougou correspondent, Yaya Boudani. The announcement of the award surprised many. David Beasley, CEO of WFP, who was in Ouagadougou, explains that this award for him represents a call to action:
“It really is a fantastic surprise. In this time of the world, when we need good news, it really is! It is an achievement and it is a recognition of all the very hard work done by all the men and women in the World Food Program. The Nobel Peace Prize must be clearly understood. Because we are at a crossroads: people are suffering. So it’s more of a call to action. ”
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Mawa Soro, head of the WFP branch office in Maradi in southern Niger, joins the organization’s chief executive at this point. For her, too, this award is an incentive to do even better: “It’s a recognition that challenges us to do the better we do.” The program in its region helps 250,000 people in two different ways: First, there is a humanitarian emergency for displaced persons and refugees. And then there is the basis of society’s resilience to schools and programs for aid to health, nutrition and agricultural production.
Mawa Soro, WFP Manager in Maradi, Niger
Still significant financial needs
In Burkina Faso, three million people are food insecure. WFP has been able to provide assistance to more than half of the population with the support of its partners. But the needs are still huge, according to Esther Ouoba, communications manager for the Ouagadougou office: “Over the next six months, the resources that WFP needs will amount to more than $ 90 million to provide assistance to everyone. the people who are in a situation of food insecurity. ”
Désiré Kakoba, WFP Program Assistant in charge of food distribution at the Bunia branch office, DRC, also hopes this will encourage donors to mobilize. In an area like Ituri, even the WFP has reached its limits to help vulnerable populations: “If I take an average, [le nombre de personnes] reaches 240,000 people a month, he estimates. We claim not to be able to provide a complete answer to the needs of the affected population. At times, we are also limited by our resources. ”
Stanislas Siambouba is in charge of distribution for WFP in Obo in the eastern part of the Central African Republic, a locality close to the borders of the DRC and South Sudan, one of the most isolated regions in the country, where he helps some 20,000 people. He hopes this award will facilitate the team’s work in the field. “There are areas where PAM wants access, but it is impossible. We therefore ask that humanitarian corridors be opened so that PAM can achieve its goal ”.
Stanislas Siambouba, WFP worker in Obo, Central African Republic
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