WFP launches nutrition program

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