F.P. Report
Islamabad: World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with Benazir Income Support Programme organized a two-day National Consultation Dialogue in Islamabad on School meals. The purpose of the consultation was to create awareness on the importance of nutritious meals for school going children and providing way forward for the preparation and implementation of policies for school meal programs at government and private educational institutes at all levels.
On the occasion, Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division Ms. Shazia Marri stated that Govt of Pakistan is making efforts in collaboration with all stake holders for creating awareness and formulation of best polices aimed at meeting the nutritional values for all school going children. She stressed the need to collectively work for the vulnerable segments of the society and said that current govt will utilize all available resources for uplift and betterment of vulnerable segments of society.
While talking to the participants, she appreciated the efforts of World Food Programme in their commitment towards the cause of developing nutritious food programs. She said that such programs are very important and will create great impact on the health of our children.
The Federal Minister further stated that with healthy mind and body the children would be able to perform well in their studies and extra co-curricular activities. First we should understand the basic nutritional needs of our children, the minister emphasized.
She commended the efforts of WFP for their dedication, specially performing in the areas of conflict where law and order situation is not so good. She appreciated to their courage and resilience for helping Pakistan and Pakistani children in such areas. She said people of Pakistan were resilient and faced many challenges in the past but they never gave up.
She welcomed the public-private partnerships for the development and stressed on the coordination of federal and provincial govts in order to achieve the UN Goals. She thanked all the stakeholders and representatives of various UN agencies, health departments, Planning Commission, Civil Society and academia for their coordination with Benazir Income Support Programme. She said that BISP is willing to work with all the stakeholders in future for providing better health facilities to the children
of Pakistan.
