Iceland and WFP
Iceland and WFP
The World Food Programme (WFP) was established in 1963. The Programme provides emergency food relief and supports economic and social development. In the year 1994 it was the first UN organization to adopt a mission statement aiming at eradicating global hunger and poverty.
Following the opening of the new Permanent Mission of Iceland to the UN Agencies in Rome Mr. Guðni Bragason, new Permanent Representative of Iceland to UN Agencies in Rome met on 31st August 2005 with James T. Morris, Executive Director of WFP. Mr Bragason informed Mr Morris on Icelandic policies regarding development issues and emergency assistance. He emphasized the will of Icelandic Authorities to support the work of the WFP and mentioned assistance to the tsunami victims and support of school projects for girls in Iraq. Also that Iceland had previously supported the work of the WFP in Haiti, Iraq and the Sudan. He also discussed support of the WFP through the Stand-by agreement between the WFP and the Icelandic Crisis Responce Unit.
The Icelandic Goverment has in recent years contributed financially to the WFP. The contribution, which has gradually been increased, has supported WFP relief programmes in various parts of the world, such as in Haiti, Iraq and the Sudan. Recently, contributions have been made to the Programme´s tsunami relief, as well as supporting girls schools in Iraq. The WFP relies on UN member countries for support, and the Icelandic Goverment has in various ways responded to calls for help. On 11th October 2005 the Government of Iceland decided to donate 75 thousand USD to the humanitarian and emergency relief efforts of the World Food Programme on the earthquake areas in Pakistan. The Government decided also on 12th December 2005 to support WFP assisting vulnerable and food insecure in Malawi with IKR 6 million (approximately US$ 95.000).
In the year 2006 the Goverment has contributed substantianlly to WFP operations. It decided on July 10th to donate 7,5 million ISK to support the work of the World Food Programme in East-Timor. On 14th August 2006 to was decided to contribute 100,000,- USD to WFP emergency and relief operations in Lebanon. On 31st August it was decided to contribute 200,000,- USD to the WFP emergency and relief operations in the Darfur region in the Sudan and on 1st September the Government of Iceland decided on 1st September 2006 to contribute 100,000,- USD to the WFP “Protracted Relief Operation for Non-Refugee Palestinians.
A cooperation agreement (Stand-by Agreement) has been made between the WFP and the Icelandic Crisis Emergency Response Unit facilitating sending members of the Unit for emergency relief work in disaster areas. Iceland has seconded its first expert, Ilías Karl Moustakas, to work within the framework of the Agreement. Mr Moustakas will be stationed in Liberia. Two Icelanders, Mr Eldar Ástþórsson and Mr Glúmur Baldvinsson went for a training course in the WFP Station in the spring of 2006 in Bari, Italy. Mr Baldvinsson then went for a one-month long tour of duty in Tanzania.
Mr James T. Morris, the Executive Director of the WFP attended the annual Nordic WFP meeting, held in Reykjavík in May 2005. Among discussion topics was the financing of emergency relief, the WFP policy plan for 2006 – 2007, the place of the WFP with respect to the reorganization of the UN, as well as the contribution of the WFP to the global fight against HIV/aids.
The Executive Secretary had a meeting with Mr Davíð Oddsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on May 4th discussing the cooperation between Iceland and the WFP and the world food security.
On 26th april 2006 representatives of the Nordic countries met in Oslo for their annual meeting with James Morris, Director General of the WFP. Also participating in the meeting this year were representatives of Belgium, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK. Mr Guðni Bragason Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations Agencies in Rome attended the meeting for Iceland. Issues discussed included UN reform, the cluster model, Good Humanitarian Donorship, Targeting of Food Aid and Prioritization of Resoures, Resources Prospects and capacity building.
The WFP operates an Information Office in Copenhagen for the Nordic Countries.
