Mr Muhannad Hadi, the World Food Program (WFP)  Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Europe and Ms Abeer Etefa, WFP Head of Communications and Partnerships for the same area, took part in a roundtable discussion at CAIS on 18 October 2017.

Mr Hadi and Ms Etefa provided inormation on the WFP’s high-level emergencies in the region with particular reference to Syria, Yemen and Iraq. The region they lead represents the largest commitment from the WFP globally. It has a budget of $US8b and is attempting to help 33 million people suffering food insecurity.

Mr Hadi said the WF program is hampered by war, complex sets of state and non-state actors, failed local political systems and unprecedented numbers of refugees fleeing terror. However, he said an humanitarian solution will not solve the problem in these areas. What is required is a political solution.