Profile of a Humanitarian: Ertharin Cousin
Ertharin Cousin has had a long and impressive career in fighting global hunger. She began her current position as the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme on April 5, 2012 after being endorsed by the U.S. State Department and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Prior to her position at the World Food Programme, Cousin served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Democratic national Committee from 1993-94, then as the White House Liaison at the U.S. State Department under the Clinton Administration. In 1997, Cousin was appointed to the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development, thus beginning her professional involvement in the issues of global hunger and famine. Cousin joined the board of America’s Second Harvest in 2002, and just two years later became its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Cousin and America’s Second Harvest distributed more than 62 million pounds of food to those affected by the disaster. The next chapter of her career was her appointment as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture in 2009. During her time as the U.S. Representative in Rome, she advocated for the transition from hunger relief to overall development and increased collaboration between international food and agriculture agencies.
Under Cousin’s guidance, the World Food Programme has responded to some of the world’s most urgent humanitarian crises, including the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the civil war in Syria, and the severe drought and food insecurity currently impacting the Sahel region of Africa. Throughout all the 83 countries where the WFP operates, it strives to implement long-term solutions to hunger and food insecurity, rather than simply giving food aid. Much of this is due to Cousin’s push to help the WFP transition from giving food aid to giving food assistance. For example, in the Philippines, the WFP has helped to plant 5 million mangroves to help the revival of fish and bird sanctuaries and replenish natural fish stocks. In Namibia, the WFP plays a slightly different role, providing technical support to the government in its efforts to establish feeding programs at schools throughout the country. In Senegal, a project funded by the Brazilian government and implemented by WFP, the program has helped 1,000 small farmers grow their own rice paddies, feeding both themselves and providing affordable food for local people and schools. Cousin also has a personal interest in bettering the lives and opportunities for women and girls around the world as well, and recognizes the importance of women in the development process as a whole.
Ertharin Cousin is a true humanitarian and a force for positive change. From growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, to becoming the Executive Director of one of the world’s most influential aid organizations, Cousin’s life and career are full of well-deserved achievements, successes, and recognition. She has boldly taken on the issues of global hunger and malnutrition and has pushed the World Food Programme to pursue lasting, sustainable and empowering programs around the world. She has navigated the highly political world of humanitarian agencies and organizations, and has worked hard to achieve her influential position at the WFP. Cousin is truly an inspiration for women, humanitarians, and global citizens everywhere.
Under Cousin’s guidance, the World Food Programme has responded to some of the world’s most urgent humanitarian crises, including the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the civil war in Syria, and the severe drought and food insecurity currently impacting the Sahel region of Africa. Throughout all the 83 countries where the WFP operates, it strives to implement long-term solutions to hunger and food insecurity, rather than simply giving food aid. Much of this is due to Cousin’s push to help the WFP transition from giving food aid to giving food assistance. For example, in the Philippines, the WFP has helped to plant 5 million mangroves to help the revival of fish and bird sanctuaries and replenish natural fish stocks. In Namibia, the WFP plays a slightly different role, providing technical support to the government in its efforts to establish feeding programs at schools throughout the country. In Senegal, a project funded by the Brazilian government and implemented by WFP, the program has helped 1,000 small farmers grow their own rice paddies, feeding both themselves and providing affordable food for local people and schools. Cousin also has a personal interest in bettering the lives and opportunities for women and girls around the world as well, and recognizes the importance of women in the development process as a whole.
Ertharin Cousin is a true humanitarian and a force for positive change. From growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, to becoming the Executive Director of one of the world’s most influential aid organizations, Cousin’s life and career are full of well-deserved achievements, successes, and recognition. She has boldly taken on the issues of global hunger and malnutrition and has pushed the World Food Programme to pursue lasting, sustainable and empowering programs around the world. She has navigated the highly political world of humanitarian agencies and organizations, and has worked hard to achieve her influential position at the WFP. Cousin is truly an inspiration for women, humanitarians, and global citizens everywhere.