Dubai: Acknowledging the UAE’s critical contribution towards the eliminating global huger, Mr. Mageed Yahia, Director of United Nations World Food Program (WFP), UAE Office, and Representative for the GCC Region highlighted the UAE as one of the top international donors to the WFP.
The WFP Official also emphasized the country’s key role in providing financial and logistical support, to reach out to needy people around the world.
Speaking exclusively to the UAE’s official news agency, Emirates News Agency (WAM), Mr. Yahia praised Expo 2020 Dubai’s activities and discussion topics, pointing out that the Expo is an unparalleled global gathering similar to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly meetings that all countries take part in.
Mr. Yahia observed that the Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods Week at Expo 2020 Dubai would be critical to address global poverty, by sharing ideas and new initiatives.
Commenting about the takeaway of WFP from the global event, the Director of United Nations World Food Program (WFP), UAE Office highlighted that the Program has benefitted from being a part of Expo 2020 Dubai, due to the importance of the event, which is witnessing the participation of over 192 countries and is holding various events on what is happening in the world. Mr. Yahia also hoped that the Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods Week would share many ideas and initiatives in the area of poverty eradication.
GLOBAL HUNGER AND ITS CAUSES
Mr. Yahia took the opportunity to remark that 800 million+ people across the globe are suffering from food insecurity. While armed conflicts are considered as the leading cause of poverty, the WFP Official affirmed that COVID-19 has worsened humanitarian conditions, with 45 million people in 43 countries facing the threat of famine.
FOOD FOR ALL
The Official observed that the world is actually producing excess food than the required, thus armed conflicts and war must be stopped and international cooperation must be promoted to support the food system, in order to reach out to one billion people suffering from food shortages.
UAE is a leading country in terms of supporting the WFP’s operations in many regions around the world, adding that there are two types of support, which are financial aid and helping the program reach areas in need. The country fulfils both roles by using the WFP’s offices and warehouses in Dubai, which benefit from the city’s geographic location and logistics facilities.
Mr. Mageed Yahia observed while highlighting about the UAE’s contribution.
Mr. Yahia added that UN WFP has received more than $9.5 billion in aid in 2021, but the world will need $15 billion in 2022, as this issue is increasing yearly.