CAIRO: Egypt has stepped up its aid initiatives with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), assisting Niger, Sudan and other African countries, providing aid relief. The Egyptian government has been a regular donor to WFP activities for many years, contributing $1.69 million since 2001 and assisting recently in Sudan. Allan Jury, head of WFP s External Relations Division says "Unfortunately, a number of hotspots in the world are today located in the Middle East and tragically affect the livelihoods of people living in the region. Our hope is that by working together we can alleviate their suffering. Last August, The WFP and the League of Arab States signed a historical Memorandum of Understanding for future cooperation in Cairo, specifically choosing Egypt to host the ceremony in recognition of the country's efforts in providing aid in the region. "We hope Arab countries that have been generous in aiding Sudan bilaterally will extend their help to WFP beneficiaries, especially in 2006, which we view as a year of transition from emergency operations towards recovery measures. Support for school feeding and food in exchange for building community assets like access roads is essential, Ramiro Lopes Da Silva, WFP's county director in Sudan, tells The Daily Star Egypt. Mahmoud Yassin, one Egypt's most famous film and stage actors, was appointed Ambassador against Hunger for the WFP and has been working extensively in Darfur with relief efforts there. Yassin started from humble beginnings as a garbage collector to become one of the most famous actors in the Arab world and a WFP ambassador. "People in Sudan need support and we, worldwide and especially in the Arab world, must provide it, not only to maintain their dignity but to safeguard ours says Yassin, addressing the press on behalf of WFP. Yassin's success story personifies Egypt's aspirations within the international community to become a rising star. Egypt has been a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council on five previous occasions, most recently in 1996 to 1997; Egypt hopes to gain enough votes to retain membership again for 2007 until 2008. Yet, according to the WFP, Egyptians face serious problems of food insecurity, poverty and gender disparities. About 12 percent consume less than 2,100 calories per day, and an estimated 19 percent of Egypt's population live below the poverty line of LE 750 ($130) per annum. Some 500,000 people are still undernourished in Egypt, and while recognition for the aid efforts abroad are receiving praise, more local and regional assistance is required to tackle poverty and hunger at home. One local initiative in the oasis of Fayoum, 100 km south of Cairo, sees students receiving free school dinners providing healthy nourishment, encouraging attendance and improving the education of poorer families. Egypt intends to expand these initiatives nationwide, hoping that other African countries will adopt a similar approach of providing education and combating hunger.
