UN World Food Programme wins Nobel peace prize

The UN’s World Food Programme was awarded the nobel peace prize this year for its efforts to combat famine around the world and improve conditions for peace in wartorn areas.

The Norwegian Nobel committee chairwoman, Berit Reiss-Andersen said that the award was given for the efforts carried out to “turn the eyes of the world to the millions of people who suffer from or face the threat of hunger” as it is often used as a “weapon of war and conflict”.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee stated: “In countries such as Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan and Burkina Faso, the combination of violent conflict and the pandemic has led to a dramatic rise in the number of people living on the brink of starvation.

“Until the day we have a medical vaccine, food is the best vaccine against chaos.”

Berit Reiss-Andersen also praised the WFP by saying: “It’s a very important UN organisation. The UN plays a key role in upholding human rights,” she said, adding: “Food is one of our most basic needs.”

Other figures who were considered in the running for this year’s prize included the 17-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, the Russian dissident and opposition leader Alexei Navalny who was poisoned earlier this year and the World Health Organization for its work in fighting the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.