Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, met Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on the sidelines of her participation in the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting of the Development Working Group in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed cooperation and coordination between the UAE and WFP to deliver relief assistance to the Gaza Strip to address the deteriorating humanitarian conditions for civilians impacted by the conflict. Her Excellency Al Hashimy emphasized the importance of maintaining as many access points to the Strip.
In this regard, H.E. stressed that the UAE continues to extend a helping hand to the Palestinians and implementing humanitarian relief initiatives whether via land, sea, or air routes, while pushing for an immediate ceasefire.
The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report on Gaza has found that 96% of the population is facing acute food insecurity at crisis level or higher, with about half a million people in catastrophic conditions.
Her Excellency Al Hashimy affirmed that the UAE will continue to extensively work – through its leading and pioneering role – with international partners to intensify the necessary efforts to support all endeavors aiming to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza, and ensure urgent, sustainable, unhindered delivery of aid, at scale.
H.E. commended the WFP’s endeavors to address food insecurity, and expressed the UAE’s keenness to expand its cooperation with the WFP within the G20.
Furthermore, Her Excellency reiterated the UAE’s commitment to supporting the work of the World Food Programme as part of its approach towards assisting those in need. The UAE is among the WFP’s leading international donors, contributing USD 868 million in the past 10 years. Both the UAE and the WFP share common views on assisting those who have been affected by crises that include hunger, displacement, and natural disasters.
McCain expressed sincere appreciation for the efforts of the UAE in Sudan. In June 2024, the UAE signed an agreement with the WFP to provide emergency food assistance to populations affected by the crisis in Sudan and South Sudan. This includes refugees, host communities, internally displaced people, and returnees impacted by the war. To help alleviate the crisis, the UAE has committed a total of USD 25 million in aid: USD 20 million for Sudan and USD 5 million for South Sudan. Meanwhile, the WFP has assisted 6.8 million people with food and cash since the war began.
