Government Of Pakistan Continues Strong Support With Wheat Contributions
ISLAMABAD – The Government of Pakistan remains the largest host government donor for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) worldwide with its recent contributions of wheat totaling 50,000 metric tons, valued at approximately USD 19.9 million, to WFP operations in Pakistan.
Wheat – in the form of bread – is a staple food item in Pakistan and plays a vital role in the food security and nutrition of its people. The wheat flour donated by the Government is fortified with an enhanced vitamin and mineral mix at local mills in Peshawar and Multan, as part of the National and Provincial Fortification Alliance, to maximize nutritional value.
“WFP welcomes the Government’s recent contributions and its continued commitment to partner with us,” said WFP Country Director Finbarr Curran. “WFP is committed to working with the Government in its recovery and development activities to achieve its Vision 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The partnership aims to ensure the success of Government-led efforts to improve food and nutrition security, including stunting prevention and capacity augmentation, among vulnerable communities affected by law and order operations alongside other vulnerable population groups across the country. These activities aim to complement the Government of Pakistan’s reconstruction and development efforts, contributing to the establishment of peace, stability and social cohesion in the region.
The in-kind contributions are supporting people who remain displaced, and returnees for six months following their resettlement. WFP’s relief and recovery programmes include livelihoods/disaster risk reduction, and nutrition/education support for displaced and returnee populations.
The Government of Pakistan donated 174,000 metric tons of wheat in 2016 and is the largest host donor and second largest donor to WFP in Pakistan for the past four years, after the United States. WFP thanks our partners and the government for their continuous support.
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WFP is the world's leading humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in 80 countries.
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For more information please contact:
Mahira Afzal, WFP Islamabad, Mobile: +92 345 855 9333, mahira.afzal@wfp.org
Haseeb Khalid, WFP/Islamabad, Mobile: +92 300 0551914, haseeb.khalid@wfp.org