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OSLO: The World Food Program won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday (October 9) for its efforts to combat hunger and improve conditions of peace in conflict areas, the Nobel committee said.
“With this year’s award, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to turn the world’s eyes to the millions of people who suffer or face the threat of hunger,” said Nobel committee chair Berit Reiss-Andersen, introducing the winner in Oslo.
WFP was honored for “its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to improving peace conditions in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict” , he said the jury.
Whether delivering food by helicopter or on the back of an elephant or camel, WFP prides itself on being “the leading humanitarian organization” in a world where, according to its own estimates, some 690 million people, one in 11, they lie down. on an empty stomach.
Shortly after the announcement, a spokesperson for the organization said it was a “proud moment” for WFP and “nothing short of a feat”.
“This is humiliating,” Tomson Phiri told reporters during a regular briefing in Geneva.
“The nomination itself was enough, but then going ahead and being named the Nobel Peace Prize winner is nothing short of a feat,” he added.
He referred to the agency’s work in providing food and supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic when airlines were no longer operating, and said it had gone “beyond duty.”
“One of the wonders of WFP’s activities is that we not only provide food for today and tomorrow, but we also equip people with the knowledge, the means to support themselves for the next day and the days after.”
The organization added on Twitter that the victory was a “powerful reminder” that ending world hunger is inextricably linked to ending wars and conflicts.
“This is a powerful reminder to the world that peace and zero hunger go hand in hand.”
Program Executive Director David Beasley added: “This is incredible recognition of the dedication of the WFP family, working to end hunger every day in more than 80 countries.”
Founded in 1961, the UN organization helped 97 million people last year, distributing 15 billion rations to people in 88 countries last year.
The statistics are dizzying, but only a fraction of the total number of people in need.
Despite progress over the past three decades, the UN goal of eradicating hunger by 2030 appears out of reach if current trends continue, experts say.
Women and children are often the most at risk.
The Nobel Prize, which consists of a gold medal, a diploma and a check for 10 million Swedish crowns ($ 1.1 million, 950,000 euros), will be awarded to the winner on December 10, the anniversary of his death in 1896. of the Swedish industrialist and philanthropist. Alfred Nobel, who created the awards in his will.
Depending on the coronavirus restrictions in effect at that time, it will be awarded in person at a reduced ceremony in Oslo or remotely at an online ceremony.
The World Food Program won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity around the world.
Earlier guesswork – and betting – this year focused on Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, recovering from a nerve agent attack blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin and the World Health Organization. for their role in treating the coronavirus pandemic.
There were 318 candidates: 211 people and 107 organizations. Nominations could be made by a select group, including national legislators, heads of state, and certain international institutions.
The deadline for nominations was February 1, which meant that those on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19, which was only declared a pandemic in March, appeared to be unlikely contenders.
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 Gluck on Thursday for her “sincere and uncompromising” work.
The award for outstanding work in economics is yet to come next week.
