By Jorge Olague, WFP, Donor Relations Officer
Today, one in nearly seven people do not get enough food to be healthy and lead an active life, making hunger and malnutrition the number one risk to health. The world needs to understand the seriousness of reaching more than 850 million people who suffer of hunger and malnutrition every day. As the world’s largest humanitarian organization, the United Nations World Food Programme reaches an average of 90 million people in more than 80 countries each year.
Since our organisation is completely reliant on voluntary donations, WFP could not do this job without the generosity of our donors. Therefore, cash donations from enlightened companies such as SAP go a long way toward helping WFP deliver food in the most effective and efficient way to those who need it most. Even a small donation can make a world of difference to the life of a hungry child!
Indeed, the private sector can make a significant impact in helping us respond to hunger crises better and more quickly. Corporations can provide us with additional resources to fight hunger - which are desperately needed as there are many million hungry people we are not reaching yet. But they can also provide invaluable support using their global networks of employees, suppliers and customers and sharing their expertise. They can simply make us better. Companies like SAP understand this, and want to make a difference. Thanks to SAP, WFP has been able to provide school meals to more than 19.000 kids in Ethiopia, this year alone. This school meal can often be the only food that vulnerable children receive in one day, and it is also the most effective tool to bring children to school, and to improve their ability to learn and concentrate.
At the same time, by supporting WFP, SAP demonstrates the company’s commitment to socially responsible behaviour and passion to make a measurable and positive impact on the lives of those affected by hunger. Our joint work also allows SAP employees to get engaged and show to customers and stakeholders how SAP is part of a life-saving mission.
WFP looks forward to continuously build new and innovative initiatives with some of the world’s most outstanding corporate citizens. WFP therefore welcomes this volunteer initiative by SAP, because we know that employees of major companies around the globe have the ability, with reasonably little incremental investment, to do an incredible amount of good. Together we have the capacity to dramatically affect the problem of hunger.
