UN Agency Applauds China-Africa Food Security
New York, Nov 9 2009
The head of the United Nations food agency today welcomed the declaration by the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation underlining the critical role that investment in food security, agriculture and infrastructure plays in feeding people on the continent.
World Food
Programme (http://www.wfp.org/) Executive Director Josette
Sheeran noted that for decades the agency has helped people
in China and Africa access the food they need to live
healthy, productive lives.
“We have helped farmers
feed their families, while supporting them as they improve
their land, dig wells, and build roads and clinics and
schools,” Ms. Sheeran said in her statement, applauding
the pledges for further support made at the Forum, which
wrapped up today in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm
el-Sheikh.
“In the midst of humanitarian emergencies, WFP has also rebuilt roads, ports and airstrips to reduce the cost of delivering humanitarian aid,” she (http://www.wfp.org/news/news-release/statement-wfp-executive-director-china-and-africa) said. “By strengthening infrastructure, WFP has helped to cut the cost of transporting people and goods over the long term.”
Ms. Sheeran noted that China’s own success
in addressing malnutrition and bolstering food security
stands as an example to the world that hunger can be beaten
in a generation, especially when small farmers are given
access to credit and markets.
“WFP is looking to
replicate this success by supporting small farmers in
regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where – last year – it
purchased $427 million worth of food from farmers in 15
countries across the continent,” said Ms.
Sheeran.
ENDS