David Beasley is a difficult man to pin down. The executive director of the World Food Programme visited more than 30 countries last year alone, jetting from capitals where he looks to get donors to fill the organization’s coffers to some of the most dangerous places in the world where it’s feeding the most vulnerable. He often comes through Washington — the United States is WFP’s largest donor — but getting on his schedule proved challenging since I’m not a world leader with a big checkbook, a senator, or a James Beard Award-winning chef.
But I was finally able to sit down with him before the holidays, and today I bring you my look at the most successful fundraiser the World Food Programme has ever had as he prepares to step down in April. Last year, WFP raised $14.2 billion, more than double the $6 billion in 2017, the year he took office.
With U.S. President Joe Biden declining to renominate him for a second term, Beasley departs at a time of intense global crisis with the number of food-insecure people rising faster than WFP can feed them.
About the author
Teresa Welshtmawelsh
Teresa Welsh is a Senior Reporter at Devex. She has reported from more than 10 countries and is currently based in Washington, D.C. Her coverage focuses on Latin America; U.S. foreign assistance policy; fragile states; food systems and nutrition; and refugees and migration. Prior to joining Devex, Teresa worked at McClatchy's Washington Bureau and covered foreign affairs for U.S. News and World Report. She was a reporter in Colombia, where she previously lived teaching English. Teresa earned bachelor of arts degrees in journalism and Latin American studies from the University of Wisconsin.
