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WFP works with Iraqi government to provide meals for school children

Xinhua, March 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

The World Food Programme ( WFP) on Wednesday announced that it is collaborating with the Iraqi government to implement a school meals program in Thi Qar, one of the most disadvantaged governorates in the country, a UN spokesman said here.

WFP plans on distributing nutritious meals to 21,000 vulnerable primary school children across 73 schools in southern Iraq, until the end of May 2015, Farhan Haq, the deputy UN spokesman, said at a daily news briefing here.

The UN food agency, in cooperation with the Iraqi ministries of education and health, began providing school meals in Thi Qar, one of the most disadvantaged governorates in the Middle East country.

"As the largest humanitarian provider of school meals worldwide, WFP is working with the government of Iraq and partners to reduce malnutrition in school children and generate development in vulnerable areas, especially during emergencies," said Jane Pearce, the WFP representative and country director in Iraq.

The meals, consisting of bread, cheese and fruit as well as either milk or juice, are purchased in Iraq to encourage the development of the local economy. Daily school meals give parents an incentive to send their children to school and keep them there, and supports their physical and mental development, helping break the cycle of hunger and poverty.

Improving health and education is a priority for Thi Qar governorate, where food insecurity is a concern, especially in rural areas. WFP's school meals program will help the children of Thi Qar concentrate on their learning in the classroom and grow into healthy and productive adults.

School meal are part of WFP's work to strengthen the capacity of the Iraqi government to boost nutrition and development in coordination with the Iraqi Ministry of Education and the Iraqi Ministry of Health. Together with WFP, the two ministries have provided training for school principals, teachers and parents in Thi Qar on the importance of school meals for children. Endite