"Lives are being saved with financial assistance from Saudi Arabia and the Emirates."

 The representative of the United Nations World Food Program has praised the role of Saudi Arabia and the Emirates and said that the financial assistance given by these countries has helped to save lives and provide nutritious food to women and children.

Speaking on Arab News' weekly talk show Frankly Spang, World Food Program (WFP) representative for the Gulf countries, Majeed Yahya, said that in 2018, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates supported the United Nations program in war-torn Yemen. was saved from closure.

He said that with the aid of one billion dollars given by the Arab countries to the United Nations agencies working in Yemen, they were able to avoid famine, save lives and since then, Saudi Arabia has continued to provide financial assistance.

Majeed Yahya's comment is in stark contrast to WFP Executive Director David Beazley's statement on his recent visit to Iceland.

David Beazley expressed indignation at the lack of sufficient role played by the Gulf countries and China against the global food price crisis.

David Beazley's statement also contradicts the WFP's 2021 global aid figures, which show Saudi Arabia as the seventh largest donor and the UAE as the twelfth largest donor. On the basis of per capita income, these countries are the two largest donors to WFP globally.

In November last year, WFP welcomed Saudi Arabia's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center's support of $16.8 million in aid to Yemeni refugees in Jordan and nutrition programs for children and women in Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia provided assistance at a time when WFP was facing difficulties in obtaining funds to support 465,000 refugees in Jordan and 66,000 children and women in Pakistan.

Majeed Yahya, representative of WFP, appreciated the benefits of the aid given to Yemen by the United Nations by the Arab countries.

Majid Yahya said that the joint funding of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has affected 40 million people in Yemen, i.e. half of the population.

Global food prices rose sharply earlier this year as the war in Ukraine disrupted the supply and distribution of grain and fertilizer.

Most experts have come to the conclusion that the United Nations will not be able to meet the goal of ending hunger in the world by the end of this decade, but Majeed Yahya has expressed hope.

Majeed Yahya says that hunger can be completely eradicated by 2030 and this is possible if all countries work together and if there is political commitment.