Tuesday, June 4, 2013
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has contributed more than 220 tons of dates, worth US$553,000, to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for distribution through its hot meal centres in Mogadishu, Somalia, Saudi Ambassador, Ghorm Said Malhan, at a ceremony in Nairobi on Tuesday .
The consignment is part of a donation of 4,000 tons of dates from Saudi Arabia to WFP operations in various countries.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia firmly supports WFP’s efforts in the fight against hunger and will continue partnering the organisation in this noble mission,” said Ghorm Said Malhan.
WFP’s Somalia Country Director, Stefano Porretti, said his WFP Somalia is grateful for the continued support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Following the famine declaration in 2011, Saudi Arabia contributed US$48 million to WFP’s Somalia operation. These dates will be a nutritious supplement to the diet of the most vulnerable in Mogadishu,” Porretti added.
WFP’s current operation is a three-year programme, which began in January, providing assistance to more than 1.5 million food-insecure Somalis through a combination of nutrition, livelihood, relief and social safety net activities.