China provides funding for school meals in Uganda

China has provided funding to the World Food Programme for the provision of school meals to over 165,000 children in the Karamoja region in Northeastern Uganda.

The contribution will enable the WFP to procure maize, beans, and vegetable oil to ensure that the children are assured of a daily meal, motivating them to attend school and concentrate on their studies thus sustainably increasing school enrolment and lowering dropout rates.

The smallholder farmers will also benefit by getting a market for their harvests since the products will be sourced locally, WFP said in a statement.

The WFP's home-grown school feeding initiative, which emphasizes local procurement and nutritious meals, has already made significant strides in boosting food security and stimulating economic growth in the region.

"This contribution is part of China's commitment to improving food security and nutrition, developing human capital, strengthening people's livelihoods, and boosting the local economy in Uganda," Zhang Lizhong, Chinese ambassador to Uganda said.

Karamoja experiences the highest rates of food insecurity and malnutrition in the country. According to WFP's Fill the Nutrient Gap analysis, 84 percent of households in the region can't afford a nutritious diet daily.

These hardships often compel parents to pull their children, particularly older girls, out of school to assist with household responsibilities.

Karamoja also has the lowest literacy rate in the country, with only 31 percent of the population over the age of 18 being literate, compared to a national average of 68 percent.

"We are grateful for the contribution of the government of China supporting our efforts to provide school meals to children," Abdirahman Meygag, WFP country director and representative in Uganda said.

"We have witnessed children who have benefited from school meals program become senior government officials, doctors, and entrepreneurs.  By providing school meals, WFP aims to address these challenges and create a pathway to a brighter future for Uganda."