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The United Nations World Food Program won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for its efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity around the world.
The organization served nearly 100 million people in 88 countries around the world last year.
“I think this is the first time in my life that I have no words,” WFP Director David Beasley told The Associated Press (AP) from Niger. “I was so shocked and surprised.”
Beasley said he learned of the award from a WFP press officer who had just been briefed by the AP.
The Nobel Committee said the coronavirus pandemic has added to the hunger faced by millions of people around the world, and called on governments to ensure that WFP and other aid organizations receive the necessary financial support to feed them.
“With this year’s award, the (Committee) wishes to turn the eyes of the world to the millions of people suffering from or facing the threat of hunger,” said Berit Reiss-Andersen, chairman of the Nobel Committee, announcing the award. in Oslo. “The World Food Program plays a key role in multilateral cooperation to make food security an instrument of peace.”
“The World Food Program contributes daily to promoting the fraternity of nations mentioned in Alfred Nobel’s will,” he said.
There was no shortage of causes or candidates on this year’s list, with 211 people and 107 organizations nominated before the February 1 deadline.
However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee keeps a top secret about who it favors for possibly the most prestigious award in the world.
The award comes with a cash prize of 10 million crowns ($ 1.1 million) and a gold medal to be presented at a ceremony in Oslo, Norway, on December 10, the anniversary of the award’s founder’s death. , Alfred Nobel. This year’s ceremony will be shortened due to the pandemic.
On Monday, the Nobel Committee awarded the physiology and medicine prize for discovering the hepatitis C virus, which devastates the liver. Tuesday’s physics award honored advances in understanding the mysteries of cosmic black holes and Wednesday’s chemistry award went to the scientists behind a powerful gene editing tool. The literature prize was awarded to American poet Louise Glück on Thursday for her “sincere and uncompromising” work.
The award for outstanding work in economics is yet to come next week.
