Nobel Peace Prize 2020 Friday was awarded to the World Food Programme (WFP) for its efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity around the globe.
The announcement was made in Oslo by Berit Reiss-Andersen, the chair of the Nobel Committee, agencies reported.
“With this year’s award, the (Committee) wishes to turn the eyes of the world to the millions of people who suffer from or face the threat of hunger,” Andersen said.
She also mentioned the World Food Program plays a key role in multilateral cooperation in making food security an instrument of peace. It contributes daily to advancing the fraternity of nations mentioned in Alfred Nobel’s will,” she said.
Reacting to the announcement, a UN WFP spokesperson said that it was a ‘proud moment’ and ‘nothing short of a feat.
WFP is the food-assistance branch of the United Nations and the world’s largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security.
According to its website, WFP’s efforts focus on emergency assistance, relief and rehabilitation, development aid, and special operations.
Along with enormous prestige, the prize comes with a 1.1 million US dollar cash award and a gold medal to be handed out at a ceremony in Oslo, Norway, on December 10, the anniversary of prize founder Alfred Nobel’s death.
There were 318 candidates, 211 individuals, and 107 organisations nominated this year for the coveted prize. Norwegian Nobel Committee maintains absolute secrecy about whom it favors for arguably the world’s most prestigious prize that has never stopped speculation ahead of the announcement.
