The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Emanuela Del Re, visited the United Nations humanitarian response depot (UNHRD) in Brindisi, a logistics facility of the World Food Programme (WFP) that is part of an international network that enables its partners – presently 88 Government agencies, International Organizations and Civil Society Organizations – to “pre-position” its humanitarian aid in the depot so as to respond to humanitarian emergencies as quickly and effectively as possible.
The Deputy Minister confirmed Italy’s commitment to contribute to responding to humanitarian emergencies in areas of crisis. “The Brindisi depot embodies the spirit of solidarity of the local community hosting the facilities and also represents a further economic development opportunity for the same community,” said Deputy Minister Del Re during her visit. She later also visited the United Nations Global Service Centre (GCS). The Centre occupies an area of 370,000 m2 and 65 buildings made available by the Ministry of Defence and provides logistic support to all UN operations (military and civilian), including in the sector of IT and telecommunications and the environmental impact management of UN operations.
The Deputy Minister expressed Italy’s pride in hosting the GSC in Brindisi. She said: “It is an essential hub for high value-added functions in support of peace-keeping operations and a centre of excellence within the United Nations system. Italy will continue to provide the GSC with all the necessary assistance to enhance its activities and functions.”
At the end of the day, the Deputy Minister scheduled a meeting with the Mayor and Prefect of Brindisi.
