The suspense is over: Current U.S. ambassador to the Rome-based United Nations agencies Cindy McCain is the pick to take over as head of the World Food Programme, my colleague Colum Lynch and I reported exclusively last week.
While no announcement has been made public and the U.N. secretary-general’s office, WFP, and McCain’s office in Rome all declined to comment, diplomatic sources say the widow of former U.S. Sen. John McCain will take over from David Beasley in April. That leaves her a little over a month to prepare to step into a crucial humanitarian role amid unprecedented global hunger. (At least she already lives in Rome!)
As this newsletter is landing in your inbox, a special session of WFP's executive board is convening in Rome to discuss the appointment of the next executive director.