SILVER SPRING, MD (October 16, 2020) – The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) congratulates its long-standing partner, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), for recently being awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. WFP received the award for “combatting hunger, 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,” according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
The notable distinction comes at a time when the world is trying to recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has left millions of people hungry, many of them vulnerable women and children, who lack reliable access to nutritious and safe food.
“The Nobel Peace Prize is a tremendous recognition of the tireless service that WFP undertakes each day to not only alleviate hunger, but also to end it everywhere. As a decades-long partner, ADRA is proud to serve alongside WFP to bring hope and sustenance to millions of people globally. On behalf of ADRA, I would like to extend our congratulations and deep appreciation to the entire WFP team for a well-deserved and significant achievement. We are proud to continue our work with the WFP and we join them in our ongoing commitment to address and eradicate world-wide hunger,” says Michael Kruger, ADRA president.
Since 2019, ADRA has implemented, in partnership with WFP, over 40 projects valued over USD$50,000,000 serving almost two million people in over 20 countries.
“We really value and appreciate the partnership that ADRA and WFP have shared over the years,” says Frank Teeuwen, ADRA’s director for the United Nations Liaison Office. “By partnering with WFP, we are able to feed the most vulnerable and marginalized communities, deliver high impact interventions, and foster positive changes around the world.”
ADRA remains committed to supporting WFP’s fight against hunger, particularly improving nutrition, in order to reduce malnutrition rates in countries where lack of food remains a chronic problem or food access is limited due to wars, humanitarian crises, droughts, natural disasters, and other problems.
As it stands, more than two billon people lack reliable access to enough food, and those facing severe acute food insecurity could double to 265 million people by the end of this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a WFP projection. In 8 of 10 of the world’s main food crisis, conflict and violence are among the key drivers of hunger, based on a 2020 Global Report on Food Crises.
To promote and/or take action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure health diets for all, 150 countries will take part on World Food Day (October 16) in events and outreach activities. This year marks 75 years for the annual celebration. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations encourages action to be taken online using #WorldFoodDay on social media or by developing a virtual event or activity. More on World Food Day HERE.
Journalists who would like more information, may email press@adra.org.
ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies, building prosperity and supporting a sustainable future for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. Learn more at wfp.org.
ABOUT ADRA
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is the international humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church serving in 118 countries. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. ADRA’s purpose is to serve humanity so all may live as God intended. For more information, visit ADRA.org.
