The Minister for Food, Michael Creed has provided €20m as an advance payment of Ireland’s 2017 contribution to the UN World Food Programme (WFP). This follows on from last year’s contribution of €20m paid last July.

This advance will significantly contribute to enhance WFP's capability to address the growing humanitarian crises that the world is facing.  Ireland has a strategic partnership agreement with the WFP from 2016 to 2018.

Speaking about the recent payment Minister Creed said "This advance payment for 2017, while generally targeted at WFP’s emergency and protracted relief operations, will give WFP the flexibility to plan and target this funding in the most strategic, efficient and effective manner."

"This support is particularly necessary in the context of the current crisis in the Syria region where large parts of our funding will be targeted."

The Executive Director Ertharin Cousin of the programme said "On behalf of the World Food Programme and the millions of people we serve, I would like to thank the Government of Ireland for its EUR20 million unearmarked contribution for 2017. We are grateful for Ireland’s timely and reliable support, which provides life-saving assistance to those facing food insecurity in several areas of the world. “