Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 24 November 2022

MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY 

WITH THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE 

29 November 2022 

We commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People at a time of diminished hope for peace.

I am deeply saddened by the growing number of Palestinian civilians who have lost their lives in the spiral of violence engulfing the occupied West Bank. Each casualty fuels fear and yet more violence. I urge all parties to take immediate steps to reduce tensions and break this deadly cycle.

The long-standing drivers of conflict – including the ongoing occupation, settlement expansion, home demolitions and evictions – heighten anger, despair, and hopelessness.

Meanwhile, Gaza continues to endure debilitating closures and humanitarian crises. I reiterate my call on the parties to engage to end the closures of Gaza and improve living conditions of all Palestinians.

UNRWA remains a vital lifeline for Palestine refugees.

I commend the donors for their support and urge all to step up and provide predictable and sufficient funding to enable UNRWA to fully deliver on its mandate.

The United Nations’ position is clear: peace must advance – the occupation must end.

We are steadfast in our commitment to realize the vision of two States – Israel and Palestine – living side by side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.

Together, let us reaffirm our support to the Palestinian people in their quest to achieve their inalienable rights and build a future of peace, justice, security, and dignity for all.

***

WFP

PRESS RELEASE

WFP and its partners embark on the New Strategic Plan to address Pakistan’s food security and nutrition needs

Islamabad, 23 November 2022: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Pakistan launched its new Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027, which marks WFP’s progressive shift from its traditional role as a provider of food assistance to a provider of support for inclusive and equitable national policy and capacity development.

Mr. Chris Kaye, Country Director of WFP Pakistan, presented the new CSP at the Executive Board Meeting in Rome, Italy, and said, “Building on the broad consultations with stakeholders and benefitting from the evaluation of the current CSP, WFP formulated the new CSP by putting the partnership with the government at the center of its interventions.”

He added; “The work of WFP in Pakistan over the next five years will encompass livelihoods, social protection, food systems, and humanitarian response”. The strategic plan comes at a critical time when the country is reeling from the devastating impacts of the floods, disrupting the lives and livelihoods of millions. Mr. Kaye further said that the current needs and response to the flood emergency in Pakistan underpin the need for investment in strengthening the country’s resilience to climate change, supporting access to nutritious food, and reinforcing food systems.

The four strategic outcomes of the CSP underscore WFP’s increasing focus on enabling and supporting national and provincial institutions to address the country’s food security and nutrition needs. Also, the outcomes will promote equal access to resources, prepare for and respond to emergencies, and build resilience to confront the challenges posed by climate change and other shocks.

The Federal Minister of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety of Pakistan, Ms. Shazia Atta Marri, recognized the longstanding partnership of WFP with the Government of Pakistan in her remarks at the Executive Board meeting and said, “WFP’s CSP provides a vision which is aligned with the priorities of the Government, both at the federal and provincial levels.”

She highlighted the mutual trust and accountability between the two partners, with specific reference to implementation of the large-scale stunting prevention programme, the ‘Benazir Nashonuma Programme’. The programme is one of the most innovative and comprehensive efforts of any Government to tackle stunting in South-East Asia.

“We recognize the competence and professionalism of WFP to help implement a technical programme that will have a lasting impact not only on the future of women and children, but also on the communities and the country as a whole,” Minister Marri added.

The new CSP was approved by WFP’s Executive Board in Rome and will come into effect from January 1, 2023.

About WFP

WFP is the world's leading humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.

Follow us on Twitter @WFPPakistan

For more information please contact:

Communications Officer, WFP Pakistan: Anam Abbas, +92 3115821307, anam.abbas@wfp.org