Statement by World Food Program USA on the Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris
Washington, DC (January 20, 2021) – World Food Program USA congratulates President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as they are sworn into office and begin their work for and on behalf of the American people.
“The U.S. government has a long-standing leadership role in addressing global food security in general and with the United Nations World Food Program in particular,” said World Food Program USA President & CEO, Barron Segar. “World Food Program USA, together with our partners, looks forward to working with President Biden and his Cabinet to continue securing the government funding and policies needed to feed those most at risk of hunger around the world.”
The U.S. government and people have a noble history of supporting global hunger needs. Across Democratic and Republican Administrations and Congresses, the United States has led the world in providing international food assistance and promoting opportunities for agricultural development in some of the world’s most underprivileged places. The U.N. World Food Programme itself was an idea born in the Eisenhower Administration and brought to life during President Kennedy’s term. Still today, the U.N. World Food Programme enjoys bipartisan support, from Capitol Hill to the White House.
World Food Program USA is grateful that President Biden has included $11 billion for international humanitarian needs, including global food security, in his Covid-19 relief proposal. “The world is facing a potentially historic era of hunger and famine due to Covid-19 related economic challenges,” continued Segar. “While there are significant challenges that we must address here at home, we cannot and must not ignore the needs of the world. It is in our moral, economic and national security interests to ensure that no one goes to bed hungry, no matter where they live.”
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
World Food Program USA, a 501©(3) organization based in Washington, DC, proudly supports the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme by mobilizing American policymakers, businesses and individuals to advance the global movement to end hunger. Our leadership and support help to bolster an enduring American legacy of feeding families in need around the world. To learn more about World Food Program USA’s mission, please visit wfpusa.org/about-us.
Media Contact: Toula Athas, Director of Communications, tathas@wfpusa.org, 202-627-3940
