Fight against Hunger Wins the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize

105

The Nobel Peace Prize 2020 was awarded to the World Food Programme (WFP). The WFP is a food agency operating under the United Nations to combat hunger and food deficiency on the global platform. The Norwegian Nobel Committee made the announcement that the 1.1 million dollar prize, accompanied with a gold medal will be awarded to WFP, in the proposed December ceremony at Oslo.

Worthy Recognition

An agency funded by private donors and NGOs, the WFP has secured the largest logistical haul globally, with almost 100 aircrafts, 5600 trucks and 30 ships delivering daily food and assistance globally. Since its inception, the WFP has flourished as a leading humanitarian agency, responsible for disseminating aid to almost 100 million people globally. The agency operates to deliver assistance to the remotest and severely conflict affected areas. It has been credited with the title of the largest non-military aid distribution operation in the world. The operational basis of the agency is set to widen as it endeavours to support the nutritional requirements of communities as well as aid countries-like India- in the provision of nutrient rich midday meals in schools. The esteemed organization is applauded for its prompt support and assistance to countries in the wake of natural disasters like the 2015 Nepal earthquake. It also offers unmatched and swift logistic and telecommunications support to the UN agencies and NGOs. The programme’s presence in the war zones of Afghanistan and Syria, to provide humanitarian aid has been unparalleled. 

Significance of this Victory

The WFP winning the 2020 Nobel Prize is also significant as the current global healthcare crisis is predicted to accentuate the already glaring food insecurities. The threat of hunger has been brought once again into the imminent spotlight, to create awareness among the global human community of the dangers to peace in a world ridden with hunger. David Beasley, Director of the WFP was quoted appreciating the victory and also making a powerful statement that ‘while there is hunger, we will never have a peaceful world’.