Written by Prakriti Panwar, a grade 11 student.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) won the Nobel Peace Prize award this year. The agency was lauded for its efforts to combat food insecurity around the world. The WFP now uses this esteemed achievement as a reminder that food security, peace, and stability go hand in hand. Being the 101st winner of the Award, they have received a prize worth 10 million Swedish Krona. The World Health Organisation and Greta Thunberg, Climate activists, also won this year.

WFP, a UN Agency, delivers ‘food assistance’ to countries around the world. Last year, it provided assistance to approximately 100 million people, across 88 countries. Soon after its conception, the agency also catered to the needs of survivors of a major earthquake in Northern Iran. Since then, it has helped various countries, including Yemen, Afghanistan, and South Sudan.

The WFP’s efforts to combat hunger during the current pandemic, which is capable of resulting in a major ‘hunger pandemic’ due to disturbances in supply chains and ‘movement of critical food assistance, personnel, and critical equipment,’ has also been appreciated.  Despite facing various hurdles, such as the pandemic and funding shortages, the WFP is succeeding in achieving its objective- using food as a tool to gradually establish peace in the world.

David Beasly, WFP’s Executive Director, stated that the “Norwegian Nobel Committee has turned the global spotlight on them” and humbly thanked the WFP family for their hard work and contribution. He also acknowledged and appreciated the combined efforts of all in the following statement- “ We work closely with governments, local and international organizations and private sector partners whose passion for helping the hungry and vulnerable equals ours. We could not possibly help anyone without them.”

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany congratulated the organisation and praised them for their work.

The World Food Programme is slowly bringing about a revolutionary change in the field of global food security. As in Beasley’s words,  “The Nobel Peace Prize should inspire all of us to work even harder, to continue to save lives, change lives and reach that Zero Hunger goal.”