Tunisian artist Hend Sabri announced her resignation from the World Food Programme after 13 years of service as a Goodwill Ambassador, citing the inability to prevent the use of starvation and blockade as weapons of war in Gaza. Hend Sabri wrote in a social media post, "I write this with a heavy heart and deep sadness, as I have decided to step down from my role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme, a role I cherish and have held for years."
She added, "I have learned a lot. And I have cried a lot with all of you during this journey that will always remain in my heart. For thirteen years, I have been part of the large family of the World Food Programme. I was part of a great and noble mission. I am proud of that."
The Tunisian actress continued, "Over these years, I have seen how brave men and women around the world dedicate their lives to serving others, and for this reason, I hold them in deep love and respect." She stated, "In recent weeks, I have witnessed and shared the experiences of my dedicated colleagues at the World Food Programme feeling helpless as they cannot fulfill their duties as they usually do towards children, mothers, fathers, and grandparents in Gaza."
Hend Sabri noted that "they could only do a little in the face of the crushing war machine that has shown no mercy to the civilians besieged by death." She affirmed that she had tried to raise her voice at the highest levels of the World Food Programme and join her colleagues in calling for the organization to use its weight, as it had successfully done in the past, to advocate and pressure for a humanitarian and immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to leverage the Programme's influence to prevent the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
She further stated, "Because I was confident that the World Food Programme, which won the Nobel Peace Prize just three years ago after being an active participant in UN Resolution 2417 condemning the use of starvation as a method of war, would use its voice powerfully as it has done in various humanitarian emergencies and crises. However, starvation and blockade have been used as weapons of war over the past forty-six days against more than two million civilians in Gaza."
She added, "This weapon has so far killed more than 14,000 people, left more than 1.6 million people homeless, destroyed half of the buildings, and bombed hospitals and schools that are supposed to be safe havens."
In her statement, she concluded, "For this reason, I announce my resignation and wish all my colleagues at the World Food Programme safety and peace, while assuring them that I will not abandon my humanitarian and community role, but I will fulfill it in other and different ways." She confirmed at the end of her statement that she would not comment further in any media.
