WFP is on the front lines of every crisis where mobilizing resources and establishing and maintaining communications systems in a crisis situation can be a herculean task. To help improve WFP's capacity to respond in emergency situations and to enhance the agency's humanitarian food relief operations, Ericsson has agreed to provide the technical expertise of Ericsson Response Volunteers to complement the skills of WFP staff in UN humanitarian operations globally.

WFP was one of the first humanitarian agencies to return to Iraq after the war in what could be the largest humanitarian operation the world has ever seen.

Christer Grännsjö arrived in Dubai on March 10; Anna Risfors was in place ten days later. Anna's main task was to work with logistics, keeping track of merchandise stock, shipping and documentation. Christer helped with logistics, but his main focus has been telecom and IT. He made sure the right telecom items were included in the equipment about to be sent to Iraq. Computers have been configured and 14 land cruisers have had short wave radio and GPS systems installed.

Both Anna and Christer worked long hours, about 12 hours each day, six days a week. They agree that everyone helps out where needed; you cannot only do the task initially assigned.

WFP Dubai's support office provided a base for the WFP Fast ICT Response team (FITTEST), and later the office expanded its functions as a procurement and contingency support office. Currently, WFP Dubai has over 60 staff and a response stock worth over $2 million When the Iraq war broke out, the hub grew bigger. People are busy preparing the telecom equipment that will be shipped to Iraq when the situation is more stable. The equipment will be used by WFP when administrating the distribution of food to the needy people in Iraq. It is being shipped to different neighboring countries before being brought to Iraq. Right now the WFP is in Iraq assessing the situation, checking the status of their offices established before the war. Much has been destroyed or looted.

Anna and Christer lived at a medium standard hotel. Every day they went to work by car, taxi or together with the Swedish Rescue Service Agency staff. At the WFP hub people from all over the world are working together. "The communication and cultural differences were fascinating. People are very friendly", says Anna. "I do not regret going as a volunteer. WFP seems to be pleased with Ericsson's support", Christer continues. Anna ended her mission April 20 and Christer stayed on until end of April.

Björn Widén, a supply coordinator at Ericsson in Italy, was in Dubai as a volunteer just before Anna Risfors arrived. During three weeks he worked with logistics support, mainly to establish and implement a storage system for WFP's equipment warehouse. As the others, Björn also helped out with all sorts of things. For example he helped Christer with the car installations. "I enjoyed doing that as it's a hobby of mine to tinker with cars", says Björn. "We didn't notice much of the war going on, except on the news of course. However, there were extra security inspections at some restaurants and hotels", he continues.

"During the three weeks I had two days off. One day we took a trip by car to the inner parts of the country. There were mostly sand and mountains to see. One evening I went to an international hockey game, not a sport you expect in the Middle East. There were players from US, Canada, Russia, Sweden and Finland. I always enjoy a good game of hockey", says Björn. "When I was to return home, WFP thanked me for my help and sent their regards to the Ericsson Response team", says Björn.

The World Food Programme: Feeding the World's Hungry Today, although the world produces enough food to feed everyone, poverty, natural disasters, war and civil unrest cause more than 800 million people to go to bed hungry. WFP was established to ensure that every man, woman and child on earth has enough food to lead a healthy and productive life. As the world's largest humanitarian agency and the UN's leading agency in the fight against hunger, WFP delivers over 4 million tons of food annually to more than 77 million people in 82 countries around the globe.