Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
National

WFP says it shares Nobel Peace Prize with Canada

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Oct, 2020 06:21 PM
  • WFP says it shares Nobel Peace Prize with Canada

The United Nations World Food Program is thanking Canada for its support after the organization won the Nobel Peace Prize, saying that support is essential with hunger rising due to COVID-19.

Spokeswoman Julie Marshall says Canada is the UN organization’s seventh-largest donor, contributing more than $250 million in 2019, and has supported its work for 50 years.

Because the WFP is fully reliant on voluntary donations, she says the contributions are essential to feeding the rising number of hungry people in the world.

Marshall says the COVID-19 pandemic has made that job harder because the WFP now estimates it will have to feed 138 million people, up from the 100 million it had previously estimated.

The WFP is predicting a funding shortfall of $6.4 billion for 2020.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the peace prize to WFP for its work in helping feed hundreds of millions of starving people in conflict zones around the world in the midst of the pandemic.

"This prize is for everybody. But Canadians can be very proud to share in this recognition of this great award," Marshall said in an interview.

Marshall said conflict, climate disaster and economic turmoil are the main drivers of hunger.

"But then we have COVID-19. And because of COVID-19, it's making the hungriest hungrier and the poor poorer," she said.

Marshall says that will lead to the "biggest and largest response of WFP’s history. And that means we have some really big funding challenges."

The Nobel commission said in its statement that it was recognizing the WFP "for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace 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."

David Beasley, the organization’s executive director, said in a statement that the award for his organization is a reminder of the suffering of the people it tries to help.

"Today, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has turned the global spotlight on them and on the devastating consequences of conflict."

MORE National ARTICLES

Scott Moe apologizes to family of crash victim

Scott Moe apologizes to family of crash victim
Moe says he's aware a family member of the woman recently posted online about just learning that Moe was the driver of the other vehicle.

Scott Moe apologizes to family of crash victim

Child dead, mom hurt in crash in Coquitlam, B.C.

Child dead, mom hurt in crash in Coquitlam, B.C.
A statement from Coquitlam RCMP says the boy was two-years-old and his mother, who was also hurt, is 36.

Child dead, mom hurt in crash in Coquitlam, B.C.

B.C. NDP platform pledges $3B a year on recovery

B.C. NDP platform pledges $3B a year on recovery
The platform is based heavily on the NDP record, with the majority of promises stemming from work already underway or expanding on their pledges.

B.C. NDP platform pledges $3B a year on recovery

COVID-19 'grey zone' may spur variety of measures: Tam

COVID-19 'grey zone' may spur variety of measures: Tam
Dr. Theresa Tam said public health officials in each area are trying to target their response to local epidemiology and circumstances, but are "steering in uncertain waters."

COVID-19 'grey zone' may spur variety of measures: Tam

Federal support for caregivers, sick workers opens

Federal support for caregivers, sick workers opens
Canadian households can apply for $500 per week for up to 26 weeks when one person misses more than half a week of work because they have to care for a child because of the pandemic.

Federal support for caregivers, sick workers opens

Feds reintroduce assisted dying bill

Feds reintroduce assisted dying bill
The government has until Dec. 18 to amend the law to comply with a Quebec court ruling last fall, which found it was unconstitutional to allow only those whose natural death is "reasonably foreseeable" to be able to get medical help to end their suffering.

Feds reintroduce assisted dying bill