Africa-Press – Mozambique. More than 25,000 children in Mozambique receive daily World Food Program (WFP) school meals, thanks to financial support from Nacala Logistics. The five-year programme began in September 2020 and is operating in 26 schools in Nacala-à-Velha, Ribáuè and Malema districts in Nampula province.
While schools were closed because of Covid-19, the children’s families received food hampers to alleviate the impacts of the pandemic, encouraging pupils to continue their studies at home and supporting the food security of their families.
The beneficiary schools were selected considering the socio-economic profile of each region, with the involvement of the communities and the local Provincial Directorate of Education and Human Development.
The WFP’s school feeding programme aims to reduce the rate of school absenteeism, the main cause of which is associated with lack of food. The programme contributes to the generation of income in the communities, as a significant part of the food prepared is purchased from local producers.
School feeding is “an essential part of the work of the WFP in Mozambique”, says Interim Director of WFP Mozambique, Pierre Lucas. “With this programme, we hope to offer a balanced diet in order to increase the retention rate of students in school and support their pedagogical performance and contribute to their nutrition and health.”
Celso Mutadiua, Community Relations Manager at Nacala Logistics, says: “We are grateful for the opportunity to finance the WFA’s school feeding programme. Investing in the education of our children is investing in the future of Mozambique.”
The United Nations World Food Program, a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a path to peace, stability and prosperity for people in recovery of conflicts, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Nacala Logistics is responsible for the management and operation of a 1,600-km rail-port system carrying coal, general cargo and passengers. Nacala Logistics represents Nacala Corridor companies Northern Development Corridor, Nacala Integrated Logistics Corridor, Central EAST African Railways, Companhia Logistica de África and Vale Logistics Limited.
