UN World Food Programme, Lions Club International Foundation, and World Food Programme Announce Strategic Partnership to Enhance School Meal Programs in Nepal

Kathmandu. The United Nations World Food Programme, Lions Club International Foundation, and World Food Programme have announced a strategic partnership to increase the quantity of school meals in Nepal.

This announcement has been made as a model program to improve child nutrition, support learning outcomes, and strengthen local food systems. This program, to be operated with a support of one million US dollars, is expected to benefit approximately 70,000 children.

Additionally, it will develop interrelationships between schools, small farmers, and government systems, the World Food Programme has stated.

Speaking at the announcement event, Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Chudamani Poudel, stated that school-produced meals play an important role in improving student attendance and learning outcomes. He said that the continuous implementation of this partnership will strengthen sustainability and help the meal program contribute to national development priorities and evolve into a more sustainable and locally operated system.

Riyaz Lodhi, Country Director of the World Food Programme, said that this partnership will have an immediate impact on producing fresh, nutritious, and local food for community schools.

Fabrizio Oliveira, President of Lions Club International Foundation, said that children will receive nutritious school meals, empowering local farmers, schools, and communities.