October 9, 2020 at 6:09 AM EDT
Nobel Peace Prize goes to World Food Program for efforts to combat hunger
By Michael Birnbaum and Chico Harlan
The World Food Program was awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, a recognition of the critical work the United Nations agency does to prevent hunger around the world, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The need for international solidarity and multilateral cooperation is more conspicuous than ever,” said Berit Reiss-Andersen, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, announcing the prize in Oslo. She said the organization would receive the award “for its efforts to combat hunger.”
“In the face of the pandemic, the World Food Program has demonstrated an intensive ability to intensify its efforts,” she said. “The crisis hits communities and nations who have an instable infrastructure, have food instability, much harder than it hits other communities.”