Today 16 September, EU NAVFOR Operational Headquarters (Northwood) welcomed a Chinese delegation to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in the area of operations.
“All forces operating in the Horn of Africa have common objectives, so we obviously have to work together”, said Colonel Richard Spencer, Chief of staff of the Operational Headquarters. “The protection of WFP and AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia)shipping is EU NAVFOR’s highest priority mission. Almost every day, the Task Force has at least one ship involved in WFP escorting. EU NAVFOR therefore obviously welcomes any assistance that can be provided from any Joint Force or national Navy in escorting these vessels.”
So far, WFP escorts have been accomplished by EU NAVFOR warships, with a regular support from Task Force 508 (NATO) and a participation from the Russian Navy in July 2010.
Since the beginning of the operation in 2008, 84 WFP chartered ships have been safely escorted by EU NAVFOR warships. These escorts helped in the delivery of more than 410,000 metric tons of food to Somali, feeding on average more than 1,350,000 Somalis each day.
WFP food distribution targets 2.8 million people in Somalia. WFP cargos can also consist in non food items as blankets, tents, cooking sets, etc.