The World Food Program (WFP) announced a few days ago in Nampula that it is in negotiations with the Mozambican government and private partners to ensure the continuity of the school feeding program..

The initiative is considered essential in combating child malnutrition, improving school retention and promoting gender equality, especially in rural and vulnerable areas.

Currently, the school feeding program is benefiting just over 220,000 children across the country, of which around 61,000 are from Nampula province. These children attend schools located along the railway corridor, in districts such as Nacala-A-Velha, Meconta, Malema and Ribáuè, with the direct support of the company Nacala Logistics, which maintains an active partnership with the WFP in the region.

According to a Rigor newspaperThe information was provided by the WFP's national director, Antonella D'April, during her farewell visit to Nampula province, where she met with the Secretary of State, Plácido Nerino Pereira.

"We are working with the government and the private sector to ensure that this program doesn't stop. Feeding a child in school is investing in their future and the future of the country," said D'April.

On the occasion, she revealed that negotiations are currently underway with companies such as Nacala Logistics, which is already supporting the program in schools located along the railway corridor, in the districts of Nacala-A-Velha, Meconta, Malema and Ribáuè. However, there are concerns about the sustainability of the intervention, in a context of pressure on available resources.

"We are discussing a new phase of the project and it would be important for the provincial government to reinforce this appeal to the partners. We need to ensure that more children continue to benefit from this school feeding," he added.

In addition to nutritionally balanced meals, the program includes gender clubs, nutritional education and activities to prevent premature unions, promoting the retention of girls in schools.

"A meal at school is often the only incentive that keeps a child in the classroom. It's a simple but profoundly transformative strategy. We're already seeing visible results," he said.

The representative recalled that Mozambique faces a national rate of chronic malnutrition of around 38%, which requires a coordinated response between the state, partners and civil society. "We have to protect the solutions that work. School lunches are one of them. It promotes education, health, equality and local development."

The current phase of transition in the leadership of the WFP - with the arrival of a new representative scheduled for July - should coincide with the formalization of new institutional commitments for the expansion of the programme, considered one of the agency's main structuring bets in the country.

For his part, the Secretary of State of Nampula Province, Plácido Nerino Pereira, pledged to advocate with the central authorities and partners for the continuity of the school feeding program and multisectoral cooperation with the World Food Program (WFP).

(Photo DR)