World Food Programme wins peace prize - 14th October 2020

The World Food Programme feeds millions of people. It goes to war zones and natural disasters around the world. It has received the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.

Berit Reiss Anderson is head of the Nobel Committee. She explained their decision.

"The Norwegian Nobel committee wishes to emphasize that providing assistance to increase food security not only prevents hunger but can also help to improve prospects for stability and peace."

The United Nations set up the World Food Programme in 1961. It receives all its money from donations. Last year, it fed 97 million people in 88 countries. They received 15 billion food parcels.

The World Food Programme gets food wherever it is needed. It uses donkeys, ships, helicopters and planes. Usually, 1 out of every 11 people need more food. But the pandemic has made this situation even worse. This provides another reason to give the WFP the prize this year.

Reiss Anderson: "But the pandemic, and the challenges raised by the pandemic, definitely strengthens the reasons for the prize."