The United Nations World Food Program and Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives have joined hands to address issues related to malnutrition in children and emergency response for flood affectees.

The development came during a meeting between caretaker Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives, Muhammad Sami Saeed and the newly-appointed Country Director of the UN World Food Program in Pakistan, Coco Ushiyama on Thursday.

During the meeting both sides discussed areas of mutual interest while focusing on food security policy, stunting prevention, education and emergency response for flood-affected communities.

During the discussions, Planning Minister Mohammad Sami Saeed emphasized the severity of stunting as a significant issue in Pakistan and highlighted Pakistan's commitment to addressing malnutrition concerns.

The Planning Minister stressed the need for collaborative efforts to tackle malnutrition effectively.

He said the government has undertaken a series of initiatives, including the 25 Billion Rupees Project for Out-of-School Children. This program identifies 50 less developed districts where school meals will be provided to underprivileged children to ensure they have access to nutritious food, addressing the issue of malnutrition.

Another key initiative under the Public Sector Development Program is the uplift of the 20 poorest districts in the country, aiming to bring them on par with other regions.  He expressed the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure the success of these programs.

The meeting also addressed emergency response strategies for flood-affected populations, emphasizing the need for climate-resilient and climate-adaptable policies and infrastructure.                

The Minister assured Coco Ushiyama of the full support and cooperation of the Government of Pakistan, emphasizing the government's commitment to effectively implementing ongoing initiatives for the benefit of the general population. Special attention was directed toward the Balochistan region, which was severely impacted by the floods of 2022.