Nobel Peace Prize highlights hunger - 14th October 2020

The 2020 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the World Food Programme. The WFP was recognised for its global role feeding millions suffering from hunger.

Berit Reiss Anderson, who chairs the Nobel Committee, outlined why the WFP had been awarded the prize.

"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."

Founded in 1961 and funded entirely through voluntary donations, the WFP came to the aid of 97 million last year. This branch of the UN saw 15 billion daily rations reach people in 88 affected countries.

The WFP prides itself on using whatever means available, be it donkeys, ships, helicopters or planes, to see food supplies reach those in need. By its own estimates, 1 in 11 people worldwide are chronically hungry. The problem will have been further exacerbated by the pandemic. Reiss Anderson reflects on the further weight this adds to the committee’s choice.

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