The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed US$2 million contributions from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist over 100,000 primary school children in Sidr affected areas.

"The USDA support to WFP's food for education is aimed at creating incentives for Children to attend classes regularly and increase their attention span by reliving short term hunger," said Oliver Flake, Agricultural Attache, FAS/USDA, US Embassy New Delhi, who recently visited school feeding programme in Kishoreganj districts.

He expressed his sincere hope that poor school children in food insecure areas in Bangladesh would continue to benefit from USDA assistance through WFP.

Flake observed that the school feeding programme appreciated the role of WFP and the government of Bangladesh in addressing the nutritional needs of the school children.

"Consistent generosity from the USDA enables WFP to reach the most vulnerable school children and encourage them to attend classes regularly," said Edward Kallon, WFP acting representative in Bangladesh.

"With the help of USDA, we are keeping several thousands of poor school children in the world's most difficult circumstances in schools and helping them to learn," Kallon said.

This latest donation brought a total USDA contribution to over US$ 20 million for primary school feeding programme in Bangladesh. The USDA is WFP's largest donor for its food for education programme.

WFP has been supporting 3,50,000 primary school children under its emergency and regular operation in poverty prone areas with funding available from USDA since 2001.

The fortified biscuits also contribute in reducing micro-nutrient deficiencies among the children. School feeding program is an integral part of WFP's work in Bangladesh. The provision of food in schools has been shown to be a highly effective way of increasing enrolment and attendance, enhancing the learning experience of children, and improving their intake of micronutrients.