The objective of this project is to provide a daily meal to children through a sustainable approach to school meals in Haiti. Project activities target 4 components: 1) development and implementation of a national policy on food and nutrition in schools in collaboration with the ministries of Education and Health, as well as support for the finalization of the legal framework for the National School Feeding Program; 2) re-introduction of micronutrients by providing fortified foods to reduce nutritional deficiencies among school children in partnership with the Canadian organization Micronutrient Initiative (MI), in addition to interventions to change behaviour and communication at all levels (central, schools and communities) and to conduct deworming campaigns; 3) establishment of local procurement programs with farmers by expanding opportunities for supplying schools with locally produced food from small producers; and 4) introduction of improved cook stoves in targeted schools through increased use of environmentally friendly cooking methods, such as improved stoves, for preparing school meals. In addition to increased access to school, WFP is seeking to provide daily meals to 300 000 students including 225 000 students with Canada’s contribution.
Among the results achieved as of March 2018: 1) The Ministry of Education approved the National School Feeding Policy and Strategy, which integrates gender equality, as well as an action plan for its implementation; 2) the WFP distributed meals in 1,403 schools, feeding a total of 415,000 pupils. Canada’s funding allowed meals to be distributed in 771 of these schools, benefitting 239,000 pupils, accounting for more than half of the WFP program; 3) Micronutrients and fortified meals were introduced and provided to 117,000 recipients; 4) 24.2% of products purchased by the WFP for meals are locally sourced, benefitting 7,000 people; 5) 1,400 schools have been equipped with better cook stoves.
Results achieved as of March 2017 include: (1) 415 000 students received daily meals, of which 239 000 students with Canada’s support; and 31 percent of WFP’ purchased products were locally sourced; (2) in partnership with Nutrition International, the project began reintroducing micronutrients, and fortified meals were served to 117,000 students; (3) the National School Feeding Policy and Strategy (which integrates gender equality) and an action plan for its implementation were developed and approved; (4) a call for proposals to equip 1,400 schools with improved cook stoves was launched, and the assessment of three proposals is under way.
