UNICEF-WFP cooperation

The Wood Food Program (WFP) and UNICEF would cooperate in ongoing attempts to address the problems of malnutrition in Indonesia, the agencies said Friday.

The two agencies have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together in 41 districts and to provide specific support to the integrated health service posts (Posyandu), the statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Friday said.

"The joint cooperation will capitalize on the expertise of the WFP in procurement of complementary foods, particularly Delvita, and extensive UNICEF experience with Posyandu and primary health care systems in rural areas," they said.

"Through education the mothers will have the knowledge and ability to provide adequate nutrition for their children," they said.

The understanding also highlighted several specific areas of partnership, including: the use and production of fortified foods; refugee joint assessment; policy, program and advocacy development; sharing of information; capacity building; monitoring and evaluation. -- JP