The headquarters of another UN organization is moving to Budapest

(Photo: Pixabay)

The head of the ministry explained that the World Food Program (WFP) is the largest multilateral food aid organization in the world, which is on the road with 5,600 trucks, 100 planes and 30 ships every day in order to provide aid during wars, natural disasters and climate change. to those living in hunger due to its effects. The goals of the organization are the same as the aspirations of the Hungarian government. On the one hand, the Program provides care for refugees close to their place of residence or in neighboring countries, so that the population can return to their homes as soon as possible. The subsidies they provide contribute to a large extent to the fact that the subsidized persons do not set off. On the other hand, the creation of the Budapest center is also in line with the government’s objective to create as many jobs with high added value and advanced technology as possible in Hungary – the minister emphasized.

István Nagy emphasized that the creation of the center can help to reduce and prevent international migration

The organization encourages people in the issuing countries to prosper locally by, among other things, providing supplies and strengthening food security. The center, which has been operating with 81 people since autumn, will employ at least 85% Hungarian professionals. Since after the launch of the new system, several of the World Food Program employees currently dealing with invoicing and payments will remain in the field, and the other processes will be managed from Budapest, the organization will also significantly increase its efficiency. As David Beasley, the executive director of the Program, put it: millions of dollars will be saved by opening the center in Hungary, which can be used to save lives.

The minister added that the number of people on the brink of starvation has increased drastically in recent years, given the numerous crisis situations and the resulting population movements

While 80 million people were on the verge of extreme hunger five years ago, this figure increased to 349 million people as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic and then the war in Ukraine. In the future, the Budapest center can also contribute to successfully reducing this number. However, the only solution to war is peace, underlined the minister. Not new sanctions packages, but negotiations are needed in order to stabilize the European and global food market and ensure a safe food supply for everyone, emphasized the head of the ministry.

AM