Prince Hassan recognised for vital role in reducing hunger, poverty in Jordan

AMMAN — World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director David Beasley on Wednesday presented HRH Prince Hassan with a letter of appreciation commemorating his ongoing support of WFP’s national efforts to reduce hunger and poverty in Jordan, and his vital role as the lead convener of Jordan’s National Zero Hunger Strategic Review and facilitator of the Food Security-Stability Coalition.

The letter was presented to Prince Hassan by Representative and Country Director of the WFP in Jordan Mageed Yahia during their meeting on Wednesday, a WFP statement said. 

“Our common belief that principle of human dignity is the foundation for social cohesion and peace coupled with WFP’s technical expertise and over 50 years of service in Jordan will undoubtedly translate into increased stability and security in Jordan and the region at large,” Prince Hassan said.

“I will continue to count on vital support from member states, our partners and contributors to the Coalition and the Zero Hunger Strategic Review for their valuable contributions towards our vision of Zero Hunger in Jordan,” the prince added.

Prince Hassan’s role as the lead convener on the Jordan Zero Hunger Strategic Review, brings together nationwide efforts and expertise of advisory bodies from various ministries, international and local institutions and organisations, as well as public and private sector entities, the statement said. 

“This multisectoral approach to food security and nutrition provides a solid analytical base for discussion and strategic insight. The Reviews, being carried out in 60 countries worldwide, also help to cultivate a collaborative ecosystem between various partners globally with the aim of creating promising partnerships and initiatives to support governments achieve and sustain progress on SDG 2,” WFP said.

The Prince appointed the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) as his Advisory Board for the Zero Hunger Strategic Review; the HCST supports with validating the research findings and recommendations. 

The research itself is conducted by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCRD), bringing together the expertise of a wide range of Jordanian government institutions, academia, and other national stakeholders such as the private sector and civil society organisations, as well as development partners and United Nations agencies.

“HRH has been a long-term active advocate of the WFP’s efforts in Jordan, and has rallied alongside the programme; helping secure support till the end of the year to ensure ongoing food security and contributing to sustainable economic growth throughout the local communities WFP operates in,” according to WFP.

Earlier this year, Prince Hassan launched the Food Security-Stability Coalition at the WFP offices in Amman. With maintaining human dignity and promoting sustainable development at the core of its mandate, the coalition highlights the inherent connection between food security and stability in Jordan, which is reinforced by Prince Hassan’s longstanding advocacy on the importance of preserving human dignity in all forms to maintain stability, which underpins WFP’s supposition on the effect of food security on national security and economic growth.

The Food Security-Stability Coalition unites the efforts of representatives to Jordan from Australia, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, The Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, the European Union, DFID and USAID, the UN Resident Coordinator, WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

The Food Security-Stability Coalition will provide complementary research and advocacy for the Jordan Zero Hunger Strategic Review, which is instrumental to assessing the main food security and nutrition challenges faced by the Kingdom, the statement read. 

“This collaborative exercise will enable the government of Jordan and WFP to develop a five-year strategic plan for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 – Zero Hunger,” the organisation noted.

At Prince Hassan’s initiative WFP has also reached an agreement to support the National Aid Fund expansion to reach more vulnerable Jordanians through cash assistance.