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PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- The Executive Director of the World Food Program, Josette Sheeran, today begins a two-day visit to Haiti to survey the devastation caused by successive cyclones and tropical storms which have destroyed large swathes of the country's agriculture and infrastructure, creating more hunger and poverty.
Sheeran will assess the situation and, working with the government, help to determine the best way forward, not only to meet the emergency needs in Haiti but to make sure that hunger solutions are implemented effectively.
 Hunger is no stranger to Haitians who have been struck by more than their fair share of crises |
"Hunger is no stranger to Haitians who have been struck by more than their fair share of crises," said WFP's Executive Director, Josette Sheeran. "Now is the time for concerted global action to get food to the hungry, and to support President Preval's goal of longer-term solutions to help the country, and its people, feed themselves."
Sheeran is the first head of a United Nations agency to visit Haiti since a series of hurricanes and tropical storms swept over the island in late August and early September. On arrival today, she will fly directly to the town of Gonaives where she will speak with people who have been devastated by the storms, and witness first-hand WFP's emergency and recovery response.
Sheeran is traveling with David Novak, Chair and CEO of Yum! Brands, which has announced yesterday a US$50 million cash pledge to WFP that will be used to provide 200 million school meals to children over the next five years -- including many in Haiti.
Despite widespread destruction to roads and bridges, WFP has delivered more than 2,200 metric tons of food since the start of its emergency operation -- enough to feed almost 500,000 people. WFP has appealed for US$54 million to support its work in Haiti, but so far it has received only US$1 million.
On Saturday September 27, Sheeran will meet the Haitian Prime Minister and other government officials in the capital as well as international donors, partner NGOs and representatives of the United Nations, to consult on the best way forward.
Sheeran will conclude her trip with a press conference on Saturday, September 27, in the Salle Rossignol, Hotel Montana, Port-au-Prince at 13.00.
For more information please contact:
Hilary Clarke, WFP Haiti, Tel +509 37012353, hilary.clarke@wfp.org.
Nancy Palus, WFP Haiti, Cell: +509 3463 3547 nancy.palus@wfp.org.
Alejandro Chicheri WFP Gonaives, Cell: +507 66750617 alejandro.chicheri@wfp.org.
Gregory Barrow, WFP/Rome, Tel. +39-06-65132330, Cell: +39-3481325018
Bettina Luescher, WFP/New York, Tel. +1-212-9635196, Cell: +1-646-8241112
Jennifer Parmelee, WFP/Washington, Tel. +1-202-6530010 ext. 1149, Cell: +1-202-4223383
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency and the UN's frontline agency for hunger solutions. This year, WFP plans to feed around 90 million people in 80 countries.
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