Mr Smith’s Office: Courtney Hoogen 02 6277 7500 or 0488 244901
Departmental : (02) 6261 1555
MEDIA RELEASE
Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
M E D I A R E L E A S E
AA78/09
26 October 2009
Australia strengthens partnership with the World Food Programme
Australia and the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) are strengthening our partnership in
the fight against global hunger, which affects more than one billion people.
Today, Ms Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of the WFP, and I signed a new, $180 million four-year
Strategic Partnership Agreement.
The agreement provides the WFP with a guaranteed four-year funding commitment from the
Australian Government. This is the first such agreement with any donor.
Australia’s total contribution to the WFP has been at or above this level for the past decade but the
provision of a guaranteed base level of funding through the Strategic Partnership Agreement will
further strengthen WFP’s planning and effectiveness.
The WFP is the largest and most effective international food aid organisation working to overcome
world hunger and deliver life saving assistance in the most difficult circumstances.
Australia is proud to be one of the top ten partners supporting the essential humanitarian work of the
WFP. The signing of a new partnership agreement confirms our ongoing support and confidence in the
WFP.
Australia’s four year $180 million contribution includes $40 million for dedicated school feeding
programs in Asia, Africa and Latin America to reduce the number of school children who suffer
hunger, and at the same time improve school attendance and educational results.
Ms Sheeran described Australia as a ‘model donor’ and expressed the hope other countries would
follow Australia’s lead on prompt, generous and flexible responses to global hunger.
Australia will also continue to provide further funding for WFP for food aid emergencies as they arise.
This financial year Australia has provided more than $11.5 million in emergency food aid through the
WFP to Zimbabwe ($5m), Kenya ($2.5m), The Philippines ($2m), Yemen ($1m) and Syria ($1m).
NEWS 
