New WFP Executive Director Calls for Action to Combat Global Hunger

Luke J. Lindberg has taken office as the new Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), urging donors, partners, and supporters worldwide to help maintain the organization's life-saving work. Lindberg emphasized that conflicts, extreme weather events, and maritime bottlenecks are exacerbating hunger globally. He stressed that WFP's humanitarian workers, identifiable by their 'WFP' vests, cannot act alone and need support from governments, institutions, businesses, and individuals to deliver food to those in need before it's too late. Last year, 266 million people faced acute hunger worldwide, with conflicts being the main cause of the most severe crises. WFP operates in 83 countries where hunger threatens livelihoods. Lindberg succeeds Cindy McCain, who led the organization from April 2023 to May 2026, and Carl Skau, who served as Acting Executive Director since June. Lindberg previously held positions in the US Department of Agriculture, including Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, and was the founder and CEO of South Dakota Trade, a public-private alliance.