African Union Commission (AUC) / The Chairperson receives the Letter of Introduction of the World Food Programme (WFP) Representative to AU
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, October 27, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr Jean Ping, received in his office at the AUC Headquarters in Addis Ababa, today 27 October 2011, the letter of introduction of the World Food Programme (WFP) Representative to the AU, Dr.Steven Were Omamo, who also represents (WFP) to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa(ECA).
In presenting his credentials, Dr.Omamo conveyed warm personal greetings to the Chairperson from WFP’s Executive Director, H.E. Ms. Josette Sheeran. Dr. Omamo expressed Ms. Sheeran’s appreciation of the AU’s recent Pledging Conference for the Horn of Africa, noting that this historic event confirmed the AU as a critical actor in both humanitarian and development contexts in Africa.
Dr. Omamo confirmed WFP’s offer to accept pledges of in-kind food donations on behalf of the AU, and to facilitate delivery of the food to needy populations.
Dr. Omamo also briefed the Chairperson on WFP’s wide portfolio of food assistance activities in recovery and development contexts, including WFP’s extensive food procurement activities across Africa, which opens scope for focused support to small holder farmers and broader agricultural market
Welcoming Dr.Omamothe, the Chairperson thanked WFP for this support and confirmed the AU’s commitment to facilitating and coordinating the donations. He expressed support for these recovery and development activities, encouraging WFP to continue to explore options for strengthening the capacity of the AU to contribute to ending hunger in Africa.
The Chairperson assured the (WFP) Representative of the support and the Cooperation of the Commission in the discharge of his new responsibilities.
It is worth mentioning that (WFP) has been in the fore front of assisting and backstopping the Commission in its new found role of mobilizing resources to respond to humanitarian emergency on the continent, particularly, in the area of delivery and distribution of in-kind food contribution to affected populations.
SOURCE
African Union Commission (AUC)
