WFP launches nutrition program

The World Food Programme (WFP) has held a series of training courses for nutrition educators and volunteers from 17 local NGO partners in conjunction with the launching of the third cycle of its nutrition program.

"The training course, held from Jan. 15 to Feb. 5, is aimed at enhancing knowledge of the nutrition educators and volunteers to help improve the implementation of the program," WFP's country director Bishow Parajuli said in a statement on Tuesday.

Over 700 participants from Greater Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang and Surabaya will join the course, he said.

The nutrition program is designed to address the growing concern that the economic crisis continues to have a negative impact on the nutrition and health of the poor, in particular women and children.

Lack of access to an adequate amount of nutritious food and inadequate knowledge about nutrition, especially among mothers, are reported to be the two most important factors contributing to the prevalence of malnutrition, according to the statement.

An average of 30,000 children under the age of five and a similar number of mothers have been assisted under the program every month in the four big cities.

In addition to its nutrition program, WFP also contributes to improving the nutritional status of the poor through its other activities, including the distribution of cheap rice and the provision of humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons and refugees.

Through its activities, WFP has provided food aid at a cost of US$50 million annually benefiting 2.8 million urban poor in the four big cities and displaced persons in Madura, North and Central Maluku and Central Sulawesi. -- JP