Recording star Christina Aguilera lends her voice to UN efforts against hunger

Grammy Award-winning singer Christina Aguilera has joined the growing chorus of celebrities committed to using their voice to spotlight global hunger as ambassadors for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

“Christina Aguilera's passion and dedication to hungry children runs deep, and it will make her a wonderful champion in the fight against hunger,” said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.

Ms. Aguilera has demonstrated her strong commitment to hunger issues in numerous ways, including travelling to Guatemala last year to see WFP's maternal and child health programmes, the agency noted.

In January, the five-time Grammy winner performed in MTV's 'Hope for Haiti' telethon that raised more than $60 million for disaster relief in the earthquake-hit Caribbean country, including for WFP relief work.

Later this month she plans to travel with WFP to Haiti to see first-hand how food assistance projects are helping to rebuild devastated communities.

“I want to check on the situation there and help to deliver food. I want to visit orphanages and schools there and try to do my part in helping,” said the singer, who has described her work with WFP as life-changing.

Ms. Aguilera revealed her appointment as an Ambassador Against Hunger for WFP during an appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Friday.

“A child dies every 6 seconds of hunger which is a huge statistic for me,” she said during the talk show. “After having my own child I just had to be a part of it and do something about it and help change that situation.”

The growing roster of WFP's celebrity partners includes musicians, film stars and athletes such as footballer Ronaldinho, actress Penélope Cruz, basketball star Dikembe Mutombo and actor Sir Sean Connery.