WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran

Opening statement by WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran

Deputy Executive Director John M. Powell

"Global Food Situation: Challenges for Humanitarian Assistance"

Executive Director Josette Sheeran

We gather at a momentous moment in history: some say the biggest challenge to the global economy since the 1930s; others say the biggest challenge ever. The perfect storm which engulfed global food markets, propelling an additional 75 million into urgent hunger and malnutrition – according to FAO, virtually overnight – is now also powered and accelerated by two additional storms: fuel and a global financial crisis.

Executive Director Josette Sheeran

The financial crisis or any other crisis cannot be used as an excuse by the world not to come to the assistance of fragile democracies facing hunger and even starvation. If we lose governments, the cost of the instability will be exponentially greater than the cost of quick, effective action to ensure the minimum of human need.

Executive Director Josette Sheeran

Let us decide that hunger is no longer an acceptable part of the human condition. We actually know how to end hunger – many countries have done so. We have the science and technology to end hunger. The question is: do we have the moral and political will to do so?

Executive Director Josette Sheeran

No region in the world better tells the story about progress made against hunger than the Americas. Today when we look across the ethnically diverse, economically dynamic and culturally rich nations of the Americas, we see how years of determined leadership have helped stem the tide of hunger and poverty.

Executive Director Josette Sheeran

The European Union is a vital partner for the United Nations and the World Food Programme. The support of the peoples and parliaments of Europe is critical to WFP’s ability to provide life-saving food and assistance to 90 million people this year; 80 percent of whom are women and children, including more than 3 million in Darfur alone, that depend on us everyday for their food.

Deputy Executive Director John M. Powell

"Role of Food and Nutritional Assistance in Responding to the Food Security Crisis"

Executive Director Josette Sheeran

As the food capital of the world, Italy has an opportunity to assume the leadership position in global hunger solutions, and to benefit not only the citizens of Italy, but also the world.