WFP's food security project in Tanzania gets EU support

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Thursday received a contribution of 9.5 million euros from the European Union (EU) in support of a 24.5-million-euro food security and nutrition project in central Tanzania.

A statement issued by the EU said the project was designed to improve food and nutrition security for 40,000 people while contributing to the reduction of malnutrition in the targeted districts of Bahi and Chamwino in Dodoma region and Ikungi and Singida Rural in Singida region.

The contribution was announced at a signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam between Tanzania's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Mpoki Ulisubisya, WFP Country Representative for Tanzania Michael Dunford, and Head of the European Delegation to Tanzania Roeland van de Geer.

"Despite improvement in many health indicators over the last decade, there has been insufficient progress in improving the nutritional status of children and women in Tanzania," said van de Geer.

"The persistent levels of stunting, wasting and micronutrient deficiencies in the country constitute a silent emergency," he added.

Van de Geer said through this project the EU together with WFP was well positioned to define and support the links between agriculture, health, food security and nutrition, which have not previously been well articulated or pursued.

In Tanzania, the rate of chronic under-nutrition among children is driven by poverty, food insecurity and inadequate infant and young child feeding. The national level of stunting stands near 34 percent, with Dodoma at 36.5 percent and Singida at 29.2 percent. Endit