The Government of Finland will provide 500 thousand euros (35.8 million meticais) to strengthen the process of supplying daily hot meals to more than 50,000 children attending primary schools along the Nacala Corridor, in the province of Nampula, in northern Mozambique.
According to a statement, the initiative will be implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) and is expected to reinforce the shared commitment of the Mozambican government and partners to improve education, nutrition, and food security in some of the country’s most vulnerable areas.
According to Satu Lassila, Finland’s ambassador to Mozambique, “school meals are more than just a plate of food, but a vital investment in the future of Mozambican children.” “Mozambique is currently facing one of the most severe food insecurity crises in recent years, with nearly 40% of children under five in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The situation is especially severe in the northern region, where recurring conflicts and climate shocks continue to affect lives and livelihoods,” she added.
Meanwhile, Antonella D’Aprile, National Director of the WFP in Mozambique, stated that “thanks to Finland’s generous contribution, thousands of children will receive the nutrition they need to learn and build a better future, as investing in school meals is one of the smartest and most impactful ways to support future generations.”
She added that evidence shows that school feeding programs not only improve children’s nutrition and learning but also “help reduce poverty and inequality by increasing school attendance and developing human capital over time.”
Source: Diário Económico
