“Peace needs to be fought for and that now is the time to fight.”
Of all HRH Princess Haya’s numerous humanitarian initiatives, the one that she’s worked on most extensively is alleviating world hunger.
Back in January, Princess Haya launched a fund with the express purpose of sending emergency food relief to people caught up in natural disasters and conflict situations worldwide.
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And yesterday, the royal addressed the Executive Board Meeting for the World Food Programme at its headquarters in Rome.
Princess Haya said it was a privilege and an honour to speak to the board.
“As your UN Messenger of Peace, I feel unequivocally that today my obligation is to demand that we recognise that peace needs to be fought for and that now is the time to fight… and that perhaps the best way to fight is to give people something to live for.”
In 2007, in recognition of her work in alleviating hunger and addressing poverty, Princess Haya was appointed as the United Nations Messenger of Peace by UN-Secretary General Ban ki-Moon.
Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai last year, Princess Haya reiterated that not only was the UAE one of the world’s biggest aid donors but was urging people to tackle food wastage which alone could feed 800 million hungry people worldwide.
“Reports show that current food waste is worth US$2.6 trillion, which can feed three times the world’s population,” she said.
Praise for Princess Haya’s work has come from the highest quarters.
David Beasley, head of the World Food Programme, said in January that “HRH Princess Haya’s generosity is literally a life-saver.”
We couldn’t agree anymore.
Images: Instagram, supplied
