WFP Regional Director for Southern Africa presents his credentials to Executive Secretary of SADC
JOHANNESBURG– The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Executive Secretary, His Excellency, Mr. Elias Magosi, welcomed to Botswana and SADC, the World Food Programme (WFP) Regional Director, Dr. Menghestab Haile on 20 October and congratulated him on his recent appointment.
The SADC Executive Secretary expressed his commitment to WFP’s work and strengthen existing cooperation in the advancement of regional integration and food security. The importance of continued collaboration in the areas of youth employment and women’s empowerment, assisting vulnerable/marginalised communities and knowledge management and digitalisation was highlighted. Considering that Southern Africa is prone to adverse climatic conditions, Dr. Haile emphasised the need to collaborate on early warning systems that help communities before a disaster strikes, reducing damage and loss.
Referring to the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, the Executive Secretary emphasised that practical approaches are required to reduce poverty in the region.
The need to harness available human capital and natural resources in the SADC region was recognised by both and they committed to build on the momentum to improve the standard of living for the people of the region.
Dr. Haile expressed his gratitude for the opportunity accorded to him to forge stronger ties with both Botswana and SADC. The Regional Director thanked the Executive Secretary for the warm welcome and reassured him of WFP’s availability to assist in furthering SADC priorities and pledged WFP’s support as required.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies, building prosperity and supporting a sustainable future for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
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