Sindh Government to Launch Healthy Food Program for School Students
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) expressed its backing on Wednesday for the Sindh government’s initiative to provide free breakfast, lunch, and milk to schoolchildren through its School Meal Programme (SMP).
During a meeting at the CM House, WFP Country Director Coco Ushiyama met with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to discuss issues related to out-of-school children. The Chief Minister encouraged WFP to support pilot programs that could eventually be expanded over time.
According to a press statement from the CM House, the provincial government plans to launch the School Meal Programme in collaboration with the private sector, aiming to deliver nutritious and hygienic meals to students. This initiative targets key educational outcomes such as increased enrolment, attendance, and improved learning.
The WFP official affirmed their organization’s commitment to supporting the school meal program in Sindh. The Chief Minister highlighted that, with WFP’s assistance, the provincial government has been able to provide a range of services, including nutrition and healthcare, to pregnant and breastfeeding women and their children enrolled in the program.
To date, the program has enrolled over 830,000 individuals across 140 static and mobile facilitation centers in 30 districts.
The Chief Minister and WFP Director agreed to enhance their partnership in disaster response, climate change adaptation, and tackling issues like acute malnutrition and stunting. They also discussed expanding food storage facilities under WFP’s five-year country strategic plan.
CM Shah emphasized the importance of increasing wheat storage capacity in the province and noted that WFP, through the International Financing Corporation (IFC), is supporting the provincial food department in constructing strategic grain reserves.
News Courtesy: Pro Pakistani
