Summary:
- China, in partnership with WFP, extends food aid to 165,000 Karamoja learners, supporting education and nutrition. The initiative strengthens local economies and underscores commitment to SDGs and African development.
The Chinese government, in collaboration with the World Food Program (WFP), is set to provide essential food aid to more than 165,000 learners in the Karamoja region. Valued at 7.5 billion Shillings, this initiative aims to ensure hot meals are served to students across 315 schools throughout the upcoming academic term.
Abdirahman Meygag, the WFP Country Representative, highlighted the critical role of China’s support in sustaining WFP’s school meals program. “This contribution directly impacts the lives of countless children, particularly girls, ensuring not only their continued education but also shielding them from various social challenges,” Meygag remarked.
Meygag further underscored the enduring partnership between WFP and the Ministry of Education and Sports, emphasizing their collaborative efforts in implementing the home-grown school feeding program. He commended Uganda’s steadfast commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 and 4, focusing on ending hunger and promoting equitable educational opportunities.
“With WFP currently providing hot meals to over 210,000 students across nine districts in the Karamoja Sub-region, this program holds immense promise for the future of vulnerable children in the area,” Meygag added. He elaborated on WFP’s initiatives, which directly connect school meals to local farmers, bolstering food security and supporting local economies.
Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong, reaffirmed China’s dedication to addressing food security challenges in Africa. “This donation demonstrates a swift response to Uganda’s urgent needs and aligns with President Xi Jinping’s commitment to supporting African nations,” Ambassador Zhang stated.
State Minister for Primary Education, Joyce Moriku Kaducu, emphasized the pivotal role of schools in nurturing children’s potential and highlighted the transformative impact of school feeding programs on human capital development and local economies.
Minister Kaducu acknowledged the challenges facing Uganda’s education system, including high dropout rates and low secondary school enrollment. She emphasized the importance of school feeding programs in retaining students and their alignment with Uganda’s National Vision 2040 and Development Plan 3.
Moreover, Minister Kaducu unveiled the government’s upcoming multisectoral School Feeding Policy, emphasizing its focus on home-grown school feeding to enhance cognitive development, academic performance, and overall student well-being.
The provision of food aid marks a significant step towards improving education, nutrition, and socio-economic development in the Karamoja region. By investing in school meals and promoting local agricultural development, this initiative promises to uplift communities and pave the way for a brighter future for generations to come.
