UN Ambassador Drew Barrymore

May 10, 2007, 13:00 GMT

05/01/2007 - Drew Barrymore - © Anthony G. Moore / Photorazzi

Drew Barrymore has been made a UN Ambassador Against Hunger.

The 32-year-old actress said she was "humbled" to be approached by the United Nations to work as a spokesperson for the organisation's World Food Programme (WFP).

She said: "I am honoured and humbled to accept this challenging and rewarding assignment. I can't think of any issue that is more important than working to see that no schoolchild in this world goes hungry."

The 'Charlie's Angels' actress has just returned from Kenya, where she toured WFP school meal projects with fellow ambassador, marathon world record holder Paul Tergat.

She then travelled to Washington D.C. to lobby the US Congress about passing draft legislation to increase the budget for school meals from $100 million per year to about $300 million.

She said: "Feeding a child at school is such a simple thing - but it works miracles.

"School feeding not only fills stomachs, but has a proven track record of boosting enrolment, attendance and academic performance. For just pennies a day per child, this programme changes lives - and ultimately can impact the futures of poor countries around the world in a profound way."

WFP executive director Josette Sheeran said: "We are delighted to have Drew Barrymore join our team. Her passion and commitment to changing the world for the better and of course, the respect and admiration she commands will make her a wonderful champion for school feeding."

(C) BANG Media International