UN’s World Food Programme Partners with Balochistan Education Department to Provide Free Meals to Students

Islamabad:In a significant development to address the nutritional needs of children, the Balochistan Education Department and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide free meals to students in the region. The agreement aims to support the nutritional well-being of students in primary schools.

The MoU was signed on Thursday at the Civil Secretariat in Quetta by Secretary of Education, Salah Muhammad Nasser, and WFP Deputy Director, Ms. Coco Oshi Yamah. Under the terms of the agreement, 13,800 students across 39 primary schools in Quetta will receive free meals during their break times.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Balochistan’s Minister for Education, Rahela Hamid Khan Durani, highlighted the importance of the day, noting that the program will initially cover 13,800 students, with plans to expand to 20,000 students by next year. She also revealed that the agreement is set for a duration of two years, with a budget of approximately 1.5 billion rupees allocated for the initiative.

WFP’s Deputy Director, Ms. Coco Oshi Yamah, also emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating that it marks an important milestone in their collective efforts to improve the nutrition and health of children in Balochistan. She acknowledged the cooperation of the provincial government, expressing excitement for the program’s implementation.

This collaboration between the Balochistan Education Department and WFP marks a crucial step towards addressing food insecurity and improving the health and education outcomes for children in the province. The initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring that children have the necessary nutrition to focus on their studies and improve their academic performance.