WFP chief Cindy McCain is facing calls from her agency’s rank and file to step down, as staff have circulated a letter to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, U.S. President Joe Biden, and WFP’s executive board demanding her immediate resignation for her response, or lack thereof, to the crisis in Gaza.
It’s unclear who wrote the damning letter — leaked to our Senior Global Reporter Colum Lynch — whether it was signed, or if it has actually been sent, but it comes on the heels of another letter-writing campaign that harshly criticized her for attending an awards ceremony honoring the people of Israel while failing to attend a commemoration for Palestinian U.N. workers killed during Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
A spokesperson for Guterres said they have to wait until the mailroom opens today and WFP has yet to respond to a request for comment.
“Enough’s enough: Cindy McCain must go — she is not fit for office and is doing damage to WFP’s reputation as the standard-bearer in highlighting the links between conflict and hunger,” the letter says.
“More than 14,500 people have been killed in Gaza in recent weeks — sadly, the World Food Programme has yet to call for a ceasefire, or in a robust manner demand peace.”
McCain has signed onto two joint statements by heads of relief agencies calling for a humanitarian cease-fire but never issued such a call solely on behalf of WFP.
The letter slammed McCain’s lukewarm response to news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day cease-fire — which began today — that will see the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails. The “humanitarian pause” will also allow aid and fuel to enter the besieged enclave.
“McCain has the effrontery to praise it while still stopping short of calling for a ceasefire. In a statement, she’s said: ‘While this agreement is an important first step, four days’ worth of aid will not make a meaningful difference in this ocean of need.’
“This is too little too late — Cindy McCain brings shame to the office of the Executive Director at WFP. As staff and supporters of World Food Programme, we demand that Director McCain resign immediately,” the letter reads.
It’s unclear who wrote the damning letter — leaked to our Senior Global Reporter Colum Lynch — whether it was signed, or if it has actually been sent, but it comes on the heels of another letter-writing campaign that harshly criticized her for attending an awards ceremony honoring the people of Israel while failing to attend a commemoration for Palestinian U.N. workers killed during Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
A spokesperson for Guterres said they have to wait until the mailroom opens today and WFP has yet to respond to a request for comment.
“Enough’s enough: Cindy McCain must go — she is not fit for office and is doing damage to WFP’s reputation as the standard-bearer in highlighting the links between conflict and hunger,” the letter says.
“More than 14,500 people have been killed in Gaza in recent weeks — sadly, the World Food Programme has yet to call for a ceasefire, or in a robust manner demand peace.”
McCain has signed onto two joint statements by heads of relief agencies calling for a humanitarian cease-fire but never issued such a call solely on behalf of WFP.
The letter slammed McCain’s lukewarm response to news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day cease-fire — which began today — that will see the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails. The “humanitarian pause” will also allow aid and fuel to enter the besieged enclave.
“McCain has the effrontery to praise it while still stopping short of calling for a ceasefire. In a statement, she’s said: ‘While this agreement is an important first step, four days’ worth of aid will not make a meaningful difference in this ocean of need.’
“This is too little too late — Cindy McCain brings shame to the office of the Executive Director at WFP. As staff and supporters of World Food Programme, we demand that Director McCain resign immediately,” the letter reads.
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