Online game helps UN fight hunger

Freerice.com, the online game that allows players to improve their vocabulary while fighting global hunger by making donations to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), has crossed another milestone on Thursday as it reached one million registered players.

"When one million people each do their small part, the collective effect is beyond impressive - it's extraordinary," said Nancy Roman, WFP's Director of Communications, Public Policy and Private Partnerships.

On Freerice.com, players face increasingly difficult vocabulary questions and for every correct answer, they earn 10 grains of rice, which is donated to WFP and paid for by sponsored banners on the site.

The online game also allows players to choose from 45,000 questions in various subjects, including flags of the world and literature, and in six languages - English, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese and Korean.

"Beyond the remarkable benefits for those most in need, this is a significant milestone for WFP in our mission to engage millions of people online in the fight against hunger," Roman added.

The game reaches an estimated 1.3 million players per month and has raised almost 100 billion grains of rice, enough to feed five million people for a day in countries in need of food aid.

"One of the most exciting things about Freerice is its global appeal," Roman continued. "Players from all over the world and from all walks of life are coming together to play for a cause."

Originally launched in English in 2007, Freerice.com had within a month raised enough rice to feed over 50,000 people for a day. It was also named one of the best charity sites of 2011 by Netted, the online publication of the Webbys - an international award honouring excellence on the Internet.