Political connections

US: 10 things to know about Cindy McCain, new incoming chief of the World Food Programme

By Julian Pecquet, in Washington

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Posted on March 22, 2023 13:28

© Cindy McCain, inspects bags of grains donated by USAID at the World Food Programme warehouse, during her visit to assess the drought conditions and food security at the Kakuma refugee camp in Turkana county, northwest of Nairobi, Kenya March 17, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya
Cindy McCain, inspects bags of grains donated by USAID at the World Food Programme warehouse, during her visit to assess the drought conditions and food security at the Kakuma refugee camp in Turkana county, northwest of Nairobi, Kenya March 17, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

The UN tapped a well-connected US politician and philanthropist when it selected Cindy McCain to head the world’s largest humanitarian organisation addressing hunger and promoting food security earlier this month.

The widow of the late John McCain (who was a US senator and 2008 presidential candidate) is set to succeed former South Carolina Governor David Beasley atop the World Food Programme (WFP) when his six-year term ends on 4 April.

We lay out 10 things to know about this incoming WFP chief.

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