Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, met with Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on the sidelines of her participation in the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting of the Development Working Group in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed cooperation and coordination between the UAE and WFP to provide assistance to the Gaza Strip to address the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the enclave.
Al Hashimy emphasised the importance of maintaining as many access points to Gaza and stressed that the UAE continues to extend a helping hand to the Palestinians and implement humanitarian relief initiatives through various means, while pushing for an immediate ceasefire.
The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report on Gaza has found that 96% of the population is facing acute food insecurity at crisis level or higher, with about half a million people experiencing catastrophic hunger.
Al Hashimy affirmed that the UAE will continue to extensively work – through its leading and pioneering role – with international partners to intensify the necessary efforts to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza and ensure urgent, sustainable, unhindered delivery of aid, at scale.
She commended the WFP’s endeavours to address food insecurity and expressed the UAE’s keenness to expand its cooperation with the WFP.
Furthermore, the UAE Minister of State reiterated the UAE’s commitment to supporting WFP’s work as part of its approach towards assisting those in need. The UAE is among the WFP’s leading international donors, contributing $868 million in the past 10 years.
Both the UAE and the WFP share common views on assisting those who have been affected by crises that include hunger, displacement, and natural disasters.
McCain expressed sincere appreciation for the efforts of the UAE in Sudan.
In June 2024, the UAE signed an agreement with the WFP to provide emergency food assistance to populations affected by the crisis in Sudan and South Sudan. This includes refugees, host communities, internally displaced people, and returnees impacted by the war.
To help alleviate the crisis, the UAE has committed a total of $25 million in aid – $20 million for Sudan and $5 million for South Sudan. Meanwhile, the WFP has helped 6.8 million people with food and monetary assistance since the onset of the war.
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