The strengthening cooperation between the United Nations World Food Program and the Korean government is helping eradicate poverty worldwide and equipping communities against future disasters, the humanitarian agency’s leading official said during a visit to Korea in early November.
Chris Kaye, director of the government partnerships division, stressed in an interview with The Korea Herald that the bilateral collaboration is a cornerstone of the UN sustainable development goals, a set of intergovernmental objectives with 17 goals and 169 targets between them.
Officially known as the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” the mission includes eliminating global poverty -- the second goal -- and bolstering international partnerships -- goal 17 -- both prime pillars of WFP’s work around the world.
Chris Kaye, director of United Nations World Food Program’s government partnerships division (World Food Program)
“Ending hunger worldwide is at the forefront of what we do,” he said on Nov. 10. “But our functions are not limited to it, as we facilitate partnerships with other organizations. Outlining what we will do after 2017 for five years, our new Strategic Plan is very much geared toward and aligned with the SDGs.”
The WFP’s expertise in transport and telecommunications logistics and engineering capabilities have buttressed global partnerships, particularly in areas where governments experience difficulties accessing, he added.
During the Ebola crisis in western Africa a couple years ago, WFP provided logistics support to all involved humanitarian agencies, covering engineering, emergency telecommunications and temporary health care centers.
The British aid worker came to Korea to participate in the 18th General Assembly of the Asia Pacific Parliamentarians’ Conference on Environment and Development, which is designed to assist lawmakers with knowledge and best practices on sustainable development.
World Food Program in Afghanistan in 2015 (World Food Program)
“Increasing super cyclones, El Nino, drought, earthquakes and tsunamis have exacerbated the world’s fragile food security situation, and this has created greater demands for us,” the director highlighted. “But our work is not just on the response side, also the mitigation side. We strengthen resiliency of vulnerable communities to future shocks, so that it greatly reduces intervention costs in the event of an emergency.”
Whereas areas hit by natural disasters tend to bounce back quickly, many conflict-ridden zones in the Middle East and Africa are perennially engulfed in crises, Kaye said. The WFP is administering succor to over 5 million people in and around Syria with food, shelter and medical care, including in besieged areas through airdrops. The organization currently nourishes more than 80 million people in 80 countries.
Noting the institution needs $8.6 billion of government assistance this year, but expects to receive $5.6 billion, he said “needs are growing,” and $9 billion will be required next year.
“We are very much at the mercy of politicians,” Kaye asserted, adding that humanitarian crises arise out of political problems. “Regardless, we maintain a principled approach to our assistance. We continually request access to these conflict zones.”
World Food Program in Afghanistan in 2015 (World Food Program)
Despite the growing needs, aid budgets -- targeted at 0.7 percent of annual gross domestic product among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries -- have been reduced worldwide as governments tighten their belts amid slowing economic growth and souring political sentiments, according to Kaye.
Lauding the Korean government’s contributions, estimated to be $38 million this year, he said that “Seoul has developed a very ambitious and sophisticated approach to its official development assistance that is very much aligned with the SDGs.”
“Within a generation, Korea has moved on to become a donor from a recipient of development assistance,” the director underscored. “Our goal of achieving zero hunger by 2030 has been proven here. Knowing that it’s an achievable goal, the parliamentarians I’ve talked to have stepped up support for our program.”
Regarding the organization’s program in North Korea, Kaye said nutritional aid to 1.6 million women, children and vulnerable groups has been offered across nine provinces and 60 counties.
“Despite the international sanctions, which makes it difficult to raise the funds we need, our program in North Korea is ongoing and we do regular monitoring to ensure the food gets to where it’s needed,” he emphasized.
By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)
