Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has confirmed Senegalese national, Abdou Dieng, the new Country Director for Ethiopia, to lead the UN organisation’s largest relief programme. Dieng presented his letter of appointment to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, following his appointment by WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran. Dieng will be responsible for managing one of WFP’s largest operations in the world. WFP in Ethiopia plans to assist some 6.9 million people in 2011 through programmes that target those affected by drought and crop failure, refugees, school children and people living with HIV and AIDS.

WFP also supports agriculture rehabilitation and development initiatives in the country.

“I am honoured to be the new WFP Country Director in Ethiopia. WFP in Ethiopia is truly at the cutting edge of humanitarian assistance, supporting innovative programmes with the potential to change the way we deal with food insecurity. This is a country of great humanitarian challenges and enormous potential,” Dieng said.

Dieng joined WFP in 1994 as a Logistics Coordinator in Angola following nearly 10 years of private sector experience.

As Logistics Officer, he had served in Italy, Haiti, Nicaragua and Cameroon.

After nine years in Logistics, Dieng was appointed Country Director in Guinea Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Pana 08/07/2011