'Ocean's Thirteen' Stars Donate $1 Million in Support of UN Food Agency

<"http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=2547">WFP) in Darfur, Sudan has received $1 million from a humanitarian organization co-founded by the cast and filmmakers of the Hollywood blockbuster "Ocean's Thirteen."

The humanitarian organization called Not On Our Watch donated the $1 million to the Friends of the World Food Programme, in support of the WFP's humanitarian air service in Darfur.

"Humanitarian air services are essential not only for WFP but also other UN agencies and humanitarian organizations working in Darfur," said Karen Sendelback, President and CEO of Friends of WFP.

WFP relies on helicopters to transport staff to food distributions sites primarily in Darfur.

"This generous gift will allow WFP to expand the critical delivery of relief assistance to the millions affected by conflict in the region," said Ms. Sendelback.

The escalating insecurity in Darfur has led WFP to increase its fleet of helicopters from four to six, catering to the demands of the humanitarian community working in war-torn Darfur.

Actor George Clooney, board member and co-founder of Not On Our Watch, added that "every aid organization working in Darfur relies on WFP planes and helicopters to access otherwise inaccessible villages in Darfur.

"These people are the first to arrive and the last to leave. We are honoured to support their important work to save lives in Darfur."

The governing board of Not On Our Watch includes "Ocean's Thirteen" stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Don Cheadle, producer Jerry Weintraub and David Pressman.

In 2007, WFP plans to provide food assistance to 5.5 million vulnerable people in Sudan, where the UN and the African Union are working to deploy a peacekeeping operation to Darfur. More than 200,000 people have been killed there and at least 2 million others displaced since clashes erupted in 2003 between Government forces, allied Janjaweed militias and rebel groups.

Source: United Nations

judythpiazza@gmail.com

   _   _