The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) Wednesday welcomed Canada's decision to deploy a frigate to Somalia to protect the agency's food ships against pirates.
"(The) WFP is grateful for Canada's leadership in protecting our maritime lifeline from piracy. This is a critical moment when more food is needed for a growing number of hungry," said WFP Country Director Peter Goossens.
The WFP has doubled the amount of food to Somalia through the coming months so it can feed 2.4 million people by December. Some 90 percent of WFP food aid for Somalia arrives by sea.
Since a naval escort system began last November, no escorted ships carrying WFP food have been attacked yet. The last escorted ship loaded with WFP food arrived in Mogadishu, capital of Somaliain late June, after which shippers have refused to load WFP food to Somalia.
There were a total of 31 piracy incidents off Somalia's coast in 2007, and over two dozen attacks so far this year, the worst on record for Somali piracy.
Canada is the third largest donor to the WFP's operations in Somalia, as well as worldwide. Previously, frigates from France, Denmark and the Netherlands have provided escorts for WFP ships.
The agency said it hoped other governments would step forward to take over from Canada once it completes its mission in a few weeks.
Source:Xinhua
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