ROME - The Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, Ertharin Cousin, is in New York this week to take part in hunger-related events and discussions during the 68th UN General Assembly.

 

Ms Cousin will meet with several high-level UN officials and government leaders, seeking to keep hunger a main area of focus at the annual summit of global leaders. The WFP has said that hunger and food security are "critical issues that shape many other U.N. priorities," and Ms Cousin plans to demonstrate how.

 

With much discussion set to surround the situation in Syria, Ms Cousin will highlight the WFP's work in emergency situations and discuss safety and security measures for humanitarian personnel. She will also focus on coordinating cooperation among UN agencies, having stated that recipients of relief "need the entire package."

 

Ms Cousin is also continuing her media advocacy for WFP. She has already participated in meetings with journalists from major news outlets and seeks to provide solutions on how to make the public better understand the importance of supporting anti-hunger activities.