New WFP representative takes over charges

Dhaka, Oct 31 (BDNEWS) – Newly appointed Representative of World Food Programme (WFP) in Dhaka Douglas Broderick has assumed responsibility, a WFP press release said Monday.

He brings with him 21 years of experience in the humanitarian and development sector, much of which was gained in Asia, Africa, Europe and USA. He has handled a number of international emergency operations throughout his career.

Prior to this assignment, he was the representative of WFP in China and acted as the Chair of United Nations Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) there.

Broderick earlier served as the Country Director, WFP in North Korea from 1998 to 2000 where he managed one of WFP's critical humanitarian operations.

As Country Director of WFP Armenia from 1996 to 1998. Broderick was a leading advocate for the vulnerable poor. He joined WFP in Eritrea in 1992.

While joining he said, "Bangladesh is one of the key partners for WFP. With the third largest number of poor and hungry people in the country, our work here has a great implication for achieving the global MDGs. I will be concentrating here to support government and development partners in reducing the hunger amongst ultra-poor people and improving their quality of life."

WFP assists nearly four million of Bangladesh's poorest through a number of food-based interventions, which use food to encourage recipients to enhance both technical and social skills.

The new WFP representative said, "WFP believes in putting women at the centre of development programme. I will work in collaboration with our partners in furthering the approach."

BDNEWS/ 1151 hrs