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Cargill and WFP USA Team Up to Fight Hunger in the Horn of Africa -- Ship of Rice Arriving at Kenyan Port

WASHINGTON, DC – Cargill and World Food Program USA (WFP USA), together with support from the American public, are joining together to bring more than 22 million pounds of rice—enough to feed nearly one million people for one month—to people who are suffering from hunger and malnutrition in the Horn of Africa.

The continuing crisis in the Horn of Africa is unlike any other, leaving 13 million people at risk of severe hunger—a number equivalent to all of the inhabitants of Los Angeles and New York City combined.

The shipment of rice will go to support the United Nations World Food Program’s efforts in northeastern Kenya, where some of the largest food needs in the Horn exist and the agency is scaling up its operations to reach 3.75 million people affected by the drought. Cargill sourced the grain, and managed the ocean transportation and logistics, while WFP USA raised sufficient funds from thousands of donors all over the country to cover the costs of transporting the rice from the Port of Mombasa to the people who need it most. View the photo gallery.

"It is appropriate that the food would arrive as we enter the holiday season for it is a statement about the values that underlie the people of this country," said Rick Leach, president and CEO of WFP USA. "The American people understand that a hungry child anywhere is a hungry child everywhere.  And we thank Cargill for their generous donation—the largest ever food contribution from a company to WFP USA."

Cargill has partnered with WFP USA for nearly 10 years, donating more than $8 million, to improve nutrition, health and educational opportunities for children in Central America, Africa and Asia. During that time, Cargill has contributed to projects focused on school meals, hygiene and sanitation, childhood nutrition, as well as emergency relief operations.

More media coverage on this historic donation.