Nobel Peace Prize awarded to UN World Food Program
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the World Food Program, on Friday by the chair of the Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen, in Oslo.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded WFP for its efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity around the globe.
WFP acted “as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict,” the Committee said.
The WFP, the 101st winner of a prize now worth 10m Swedish krona ($1.1m; £873,000), said that it was “deeply humbled”.
The WFP said on Twitter: “This is in recognition of the work of WFP staff who put their lives on the line every day to bring food and assistance to more than 100 million hungry children, women and men across the world.”
WFP head David Beasley told reporters he was in shock.
“This is unbelievable. Talk about the most exciting point in time in your life,” he said.
“It’s because of the WFP family. They’re out there in the most difficult complex places in the world, where there’s war, conflict, climate extremes. It doesn’t matter. They’re out there and they deserve this award.”
There was no shortage of causes or candidates on this year’s list, with 211 individuals and 107 organizations nominated before the February 1 deadline.
However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee maintains absolute secrecy about whom it favors for arguably the world’s most prestigious prize.
This is the twelfth Nobel Prize for a UN organization or member.
