New York, 22 May: The World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a private donation of 500.000 US dollar (ca. 3 mio. DKR) from the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for WFPs emergency operation to provide food assistance to 2,7 million people in Darfur.
Kofi Annan’s contribution is from the Zayed International Prize recently awarded to him.
– The World Food Programme is greatly honored by this generous gift from the Secretary- General of the United Nations, said WFP Executive Director James T. Morris.
– The value of his gift far exceeds its dollar value and we hope it will encourage others to contribute to alleviating the suffering in Darfur, be they individuals, foundations, corporations or governments, added he.
WFP has been struggling to feed 6,1 million people all across Sudan; a lack of sufficient funding has hampered its operation, particularly as the rainy season approaches, when delivering food becomes more complicated.
– We hope that the Secretary General’s leadership in giving this prize money to the people of Darfur helps shine a spotlight on a perilous humanitarian situation and that others will share the sense of urgency, Morris said adding:
– At stake are the lives of people who have been forced to flee their homes, endure the most horrifying violence and humiliation, and now cannot even count on the international community for a basic food ration – because the response has been too slow.
Kilde: FNs nyhedstjeneste
