WASHINGTON, April 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- World Food Program
USA is honored to welcome Rima
Fakih Slaiby—Lebanese-American philanthropist, humanitarian and
global hunger advocate—to our distinguished Board of Directors.
Mrs. Slaiby will work closely with us to advance and build support
for the United Nations World Food Programme's mission to defeat
global hunger. In close collaboration with World Food Program
USA, Mrs. Slaiby will help
introduce our mission to new audiences and secure additional
funding as we work to feed 110 million hungry people across 88
countries this year.
"We are honored to welcome Rima to our Board and know that she
will bring tremendous value to our organization. Rima is an
inspiration to me each day, and I know that she will inspire others
to support our mission," said Barron
Segar, President and CEO, World Food Program USA. "The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed nearly
272 million people into severe hunger, and they urgently need our
help. We look forward to working with Rima to bring attention and
funding to our mission so that we can save as many lives as
possible."
Mrs. Slaiby said she is honored to join World Food Program
USA's Board of Directors. She
added: "The number of people struck by hunger across the world is
horrifying and intolerable! It's a duty upon the privileged to use
their fame to prevent their fellow humans from starving. I myself
was born in a war-torn country; I know what it's like to worry
about putting food on the table. I am truly honored to have been
selected to collaborate with the WFP in its mission to defeat
global hunger."
Born in Lebanon, Mrs. Slaiby
and her family fled Lebanon's
civil war when she was seven years old and immigrated to
the United States for a better
life. Profoundly influenced by the hardship and hunger her family
experienced during the war, she dedicated her life to advocacy and
helping others in need. As a Board member, she will bring awareness
and understanding to the issues faced by vulnerable communities,
particularly in Lebanon and the
Middle East.
Mrs. Slaiby, who was raised in Dearborn, Michigan, rose to national
prominence in 2010 when she became the first and only immigrant,
Arab woman to be crowned Miss USA. In addition to serving on our
Board, she is an Ambassador of the Children's Cancer Center
Lebanon, Ambassador of School On Wheels Foundation, and a Board
Member with Best Buddies International Foundation. Mrs. Slaiby
resides in Los Angeles with her
husband and three children.
Mrs. Slaiby and her husband, Wassim "SAL" Slaiby – Founder and
CEO, SALXCO/XO Records – are passionate supporters and champions of
the U.N. World Food Programme's mission. Mr. Slaiby manages an
impressive roster of 45 plus artists, producers and songwriters,
(including The Weeknd, Doja Cat, Swedish House Mafia, French
Montana, Bebe Rexha, and many more).
In May 2020, they started a GoFundMe
to raise funds for U.N. World Food Programme efforts in
Lebanon, resulting in $120,000 in 24 hours. Following the August 2020 explosion at the port of Beirut, the pair launched the Global Aid for
Lebanon campaign—in collaboration
with World Food Program USA,
Global Citizen, Red Cross Lebanon, and Children's Cancer Center
Lebanon—to raise funds for blast victims. The campaign raised more
than a $1 million.
About the United Nations World Food Programme/World Food
Program USA
The United
Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
and the world's largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in
emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace,
stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict,
disasters and the impact of climate change.
World Food Program USA, a
501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, DC, proudly supports
the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme by
mobilizing American policymakers, businesses and individuals to
advance the global movement to end hunger. Our leadership and
support help to bolster an enduring American legacy of feeding
families in need around the world. To learn more about World Food
Program USA's mission, please visit wfpusa.org/about-us.
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SOURCE World Food Program USA