Highlights
WFP collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan.
Launch of the National Food Fortification Strategy for Pakistan.
National Consultation on 'Fill the Nutrient Gap Analysis – Pakistan.'
Launch of a report on “Economic Consequences of Undernutrition.”
Initiation of WFP Pakistan Country Strategic Plan process.
Planning for 40 new Strategic Grain Reserves.
Operational Updates
WFP collaborates with Provinicial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan
The Balochistan Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), in collaboration with WFP, Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) and the Aga Khan Development Network Pakistan, launched two new programmes aimed at reducing the risks posed by natural disasters in Balochistan through Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) and School Safety programmes.
The programmes will benefit as many as 6,546 people including schoolchildren, teachers, school safety committees, local community members, trainers, and local and district government officials from 40 schools in 14 villages in two selected districts.
National Consultation on 'Fill the Nutrient Gap Analysis'
On 11 April 2017, a high-level consultative meeting on “Fill the Nutrient Gap analysis” was organized by the Pakistan SUN Secretariat, and the Ministry of Planning,
Development & Reform and was supported by WFP and relevant stakeholders. Further to a series of national and provincial consultations, the three month analysis will help to develop overarching recommendations to facilitate decision-making to improve nutrition and food security indicators in Pakistan.
Launch of National Food Fortification Strategy
The National Food fortification Strategy for Pakistan was launched on 13 April 2017, supported by WFP, the National Fortification Alliance (NFA) and the Ministry of Health. The strategy defines key actions to overcome micronutrient deficiencies (hidden hunger) in Pakistan and notes the addition of vitamins and minerals to common foods an effective, affordable and safe measure to lower the burden of micronutrient deficiencies. During the event, the Australian Government announced another USD 1 million to the Goverment of Pakistan and WFP Pakistan to improve nutrition, eliminate hunger and attain food security by fortifying food.
Launch of report on Economic Consequences of Undernutrition
WFP Pakistan and the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform launched a paper on the economic cost of undernutrition to Pakistan—currently estimated at USD 7.6 billion annually. The report seeks to advocate the economic impact of undernutrition to the country’s policymakers, thereby stimulating the Government’s investment in nutrition.
WFP Pakistan initiates Country Strategic Plan
WFP Pakistan initiated its Country Strategic Plan process with the identification of strategic outcomes and external consultations with all government and non-government stakeholders.
Supporting Strategic Grain Reserves
Based on the feasibility studies carried out by WFP Pakistan, the Punjab Food Department is in the process of issuing Requests for Proposals for the construction of 40 near-farm steel silos with the estimated capacity of 2 million mt.