WFP today welcomed a donation of €8.5 million (US$ 11.5 million) from Ireland, noting that the cash – which can be used across a broad range of WFP operations, from emergencies to relief and recovery – will enable WFP to deliver food swiftly and flexibly, including to those who risk being forgotten by the rest of the international community.

“The government and the people of Ireland have again shown their generosity towards the world’s hungry,” said Josette Sheeran, WFP Executive Director.

“The fact that we can use these funds wherever they are needed most, is especially precious to us as it demonstrates a trust and partnership that we value deeply in our daily business of saving lives,” she added.

Lack of funds

WFP is currently reaching nearly 50 million people in Africa alone. In recent weeks, a lack of funds has forced the agency to cut food rations to internally displaced people in northern Uganda, as well as to refugees in Zambia.

In previous years, Ireland’s contributions have boosted WFP’s assistance to the hungry in southern Africa, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes region.

Upward trend

Today’s €8.5 million donation from Ireland’s Department of Agriculture and Food marks a growing upward trend with contributions to WFP more than tripling in the last five years. Additional support is also received from Irish Aid, in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In 2006, Ireland gave a total of €25 million to WFP – the equivalent of €5.5 per Irish citizen, making the country one of WFP’s most important donors on a GDP and per capita basis.

Brenda Barton

Christiane Berthiaume
WFP/Geneva
Tel. +41-22-9178564
Mob. +41-792857304
christiane.berthiaume
@wfp.org

Cécile Sportis
WFP/Paris
Tel. +33-1-70385330
Mob. +33-6161-68266
cecile.sportis@wfp.org

Jennifer Parmelee
WFP/Washington
Tel. +1-202-6530010
Ext. 1149
Mob. +1-202-4223383
jennifer.parmelee
@wfp.org

Bettina Luescher
WFP/New York
Tel. +1-212-9635196
Mob. +1-646-8241112
luescher@un.org