SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES LANDMARK SAUDI CONTRIBUTION TO WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General warmly welcomes the offer of the landmark contribution of $500 million to the World Food Programme by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.  This contribution completes the World Food Programme’s appeal target of $755 million to respond to the rise in fuel and food costs.  The Secretary-General notes that this contribution of an unprecedented size and generosity comes not a moment too soon, given the needs of millions of people dependent on food rations.

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For information media • not an official record