Statement by Foreign Minister Steinmeier on the opening of the WFP Innovation Accelerator in Munich

Foreign Minister Steinmeier issued the following statement in Munich today (11 July) on the opening of the World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator in Munich:

"In the face of the most serious global refugee crisis since the end of the Second World War, the need for humanitarian aid is greater than ever before. Germany is the second‑largest donor to the World Food Programme in 2016, providing a record of €570 million to Syria and the region alone.

Given the great challenges, it is not simply the amount of humanitarian aid provided that counts, but rather how foresightedly, rapidly, efficiently and with which partners it is provided. New approaches must be found if we want to ensure that nobody on our planet has to go hungry any more. To this end, we need humanitarian aid, business and research to be more joined up. The Innovation Accelerator will contribute to the development of new technologies and business models that will benefit people in need.”

Background information:

The Federal Foreign Office is supporting the World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator in the field of food aid. The €2 million euros in funding provided by the Federal Foreign Office for 2016 will facilitate the development of up to 20 innovation projects in the fields of modern information technology and logistics. The Innovation Accelerator serves as an incubator for developing and applying innovative approaches aimed at improving the efficiency of aid programmes.
The German Government calls for improvements in the humanitarian system and innovations in humanitarian aid. It reiterated this position at the first World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul at the end of May.

The WFP is the largest food‑aid agency in the world and one of Germany’s most important partners in humanitarian assistance.

from
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2016/160711_BM_WEPMuenchen.html?nn=479796