A high-level meeting between Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and World Food Programme (WFP) Pakistan Representative Anita Hirsch was held in Karachi on Tuesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The meeting was also attended by Provincial Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Chairman Planning and Development Najam Shah, Secretary School Education Zahid Abbasi, and the Chief Minister's Secretary Asif Jameel.
Participants also included Sindh Social Protection Authority CEO Irshad Sodhar, SPHS CEO Khalid Shaikh, Head of WFP Sindh Provincial Office Mohamed El-Khouly, Head of School Meals Sindh Caitlin Runyan-Gless, Head of Nutrition Salma Yaqoob, and Programme Policy Officer Umar Farooq Khan.
In the meeting, CM Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed commitment to strengthening food security, nutrition, school health, and climate resilience.
The Sindh government agreed to further enhance collaboration with the UN World Food Programme (WFP).
The meeting reviewed ongoing cooperation and future partnership opportunities between the Sindh government and WFP.
Deliberations held on expanding cooperation in school meals, nutrition, climate resilience, anticipatory actions, and social protection.
Discussions also focused on enhancing social protection and institutional capacity for families affected by shocks.
The Sindh Sustainable School Meals Programme was a key focus of the meeting and significant progress was reviewed.
A grant of approximately $80 million was provided by the US Department of Agriculture for the Sindh Sustainable School Meals Programme.
Under the programme, 250,000 students across 1,336 government schools in five districts of Sindh will benefit.
The five districts include Keamari, Malir, Sujawal, Thatta, and Tando Muhammad Khan.
WFP will implement the programme in Keamari and Malir, while Save the Children International will implement it in Sujawal, Thatta, and Tando Muhammad Khan.
The programme includes the rehabilitation of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities alongside school meals, as well as nutrition education.
Activities related to food security, food hygiene, literacy improvement, and child protection are also part of the programme.
WFP’s component in Keamari and Malir will cover 614 schools and approximately 100,000 students.
WFP will cover Keamari and Malir over the programme's five-year duration.
The Chief Minister was briefed on progress, including the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), monitoring committees, and the selection of eligible schools.
The meeting gave approval of kitchen construction sites and baseline surveys.
A briefing on implementation arrangements was also provided.
The meeting reviewed the WFP's ongoing support for the Benazir Nashonuma Programme.
Maternal and child nutrition, community-based management of severe acute malnutrition, and climate resilience programmes were also discussed.
Detailed discussions were held regarding anticipatory actions to protect vulnerable populations affected by climate risks.
Collaboration between the Sindh Social Protection Authority and the WFP on the government-led anticipatory action programme was considered in the meeting.
Focus was placed on providing timely assistance to vulnerable families ahead of floods, droughts, and other climate-related emergencies.
Murad Ali Shah termed food, nutrition, and human capital development as fundamental pillars of sustainable development.
Murad Ali Shah said the Sindh Sustainable School Meals Programme is not merely about food provision but an investment in the children's future.
Addressing malnutrition and improving school attendance is laying the foundation for a healthy and prosperous Sindh, the Chief Minister noted.
The Chief Minister appreciated the WFP's support in the areas of nutrition, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and social protection.
He emphasized that Sindh is among the regions most affected by climate change and proactive and anticipatory systems are essential.
Murad Ali Shah stressed the importance of anticipatory actions and effective social protection to tackle climate risks.
The Chief Minister pledged to institutionalize climate resilience and anticipatory action mechanisms across the province.
Murad Ali Shah emphasized strengthening government systems and formulating a comprehensive school health and nutrition policy.
The Chief Minister called for expanding the school meals programme to additional districts and integrating nutrition, WASH, education, and social protection.
WFP Representative for Pakistan Anita Hirsch commended the leadership and commitment of the Sindh government.
Anita Hirsch stated that the Sindh Sustainable School Meal Programme integrates nutrition, education, health, and local economic development.
WFP expressed its commitment to continuing its partnership with the Sindh government to build sustainable systems.
Anita Hirsch noted that WFP’s global strategy focuses on strengthening government institutions to create robust and resilient systems.
Anita Hirsch stated that WFP aims to strengthen government solutions that reduce future humanitarian needs alongside emergency response efforts.
Anita Hirsch outlined opportunities for WFP collaboration in Sindh regarding school meals, nutrition, anticipatory actions, food systems, and social protection.
Provincial Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho highlighted the importance of linking nutrition with education and health services.
Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho identified malnutrition as a critical challenge facing children and mothers.
She emphasized the long-term benefits of investing in the first 1,000 days of life and early childhood.
Dr. Azra Fazal noted that the Benazir Nashonuma and School Meal programmess are improving child nutrition and reducing stunting.
She affirmed that the Sindh Health Department would continue its work on nutrition, maternal and child health, and community-based initiatives.
Najam Ahmed Shah, Chairman of the Planning and Development Board, described the WFP partnership as aligned with Sindh's priorities.
Najam Ahmed Shah stated that WFP collaboration provides access to global expertise in food security, climate resilience, nutrition, and social protection.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress of ongoing programmes.
The parties agreed to further strengthen cooperation in school meals, nutrition, food systems and climate resilience.
Agreement was also reached to continue cooperation on proactive measures, social protection, and enhancing institutional capacity.