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Pakistan and UNWFP Strengthen Partnership to Alleviate Poverty and Malnutrition

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, met with the Country Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP), Ms. Coco Ushiyama, to discuss expanding joint initiatives related to nutrition, education, and poverty alleviation across Pakistan. The meeting highlighted the success of the BISP Nashonuma Programme and the School Meals Programme, which have shown significant improvements in school attendance, attention spans, and enrollment rates, with a 45% increase in some areas.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UNWFP's School Meals Programme has shown a 45% increase in school attendance, attention spans, and enrollment rates in some areas, making it a vital tool for the human development of underprivileged children.
  • The BISP Nashonuma Programme has been successful in combating stunting, malnutrition, and poor cognitive development among children.
  • The UNWFP has proposed expanding the School Meals Programme at both federal and provincial levels in collaboration with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and the Ministry of Education.
  • The UNWFP will launch a new initiative in Pakistan, the "Innovation Fund", which will support climate-resilient innovation projects led by young entrepreneurs and startups.
  • The Federal Minister has announced 500 scholarships for youth in Balochistan, including 400 for women, and 100 for male students.
  • The Ministry of Poverty Alleviation has a vision to bring federal, provincial, and local institutions on the same page for the development of remote and underprivileged areas of Balochistan.

Statistics:

  • Up to 45% increase in school attendance, attention spans, and enrollment rates in some areas due to the UNWFP's School Meals Programme.
  • 500 scholarships announced by the Federal Minister for youth in Balochistan, including 400 for women and 100 for male students.
  • 200 scholarships allocated for the Women's University in Balochistan, and 200 for other women's degree colleges.

Sources:

  • Government of Pakistan, Press Information Department
  • United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP)

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