KIGALI - The new Country Director and Representative of World Food Programme (WFP), Abdoulaye Balde, yesterday presented his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rosemary Museminali.

Balde, a Senegalese national, will be responsible for all WFP Rwanda programmes and operations.

According to a statement issued by the WFP, Balde is expected to lead the WFP Rwanda team in implementing the three-year corporate strategic plan of 2008-2011; which will see WFP embark on a historical shift from a food aid agency to a food assistance agency.

"Our new strategy aims at reducing  dependency  through  supporting governmental  and  global  efforts  to  ensure long term solutions for food security,” Balde is quoted in the WFP statement as saying.

He added that WFP has just completed a field assessment on a new programme, Purchase for Progress, which will help farmers right from the beginning of the supply chain. 

"For this to be a complete success, collective efforts are needed from the government, UN agencies, the World Bank and partners working with farming communities,” said Balde.

He reaffirmed WFP’s commitment to coherence in the United Nations delivery at both the global and country level, as well as accountability to donors for the efficient and effective use of resources.

He brings with him 17 years of vast experience with WFP operations in Madagascar, Italy, Kenya, Sudan and Swaziland.

He holds a Masters of Science (MSc) in Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University-USA, MSc in Environmental Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Dakar, Senegal.

Ends