World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

The Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie, Christian Paradis, holds a bottle of fortified vegetable oil purchased with Canada’s contributions while WFP Representative, George Heymell (l) looks on during the Minister’s visit to the WFP warehouse in Gonaives, Haiti, on August 27. To the right is the head of Haiti’s National School Feeding Programme (PNCS, in French), Myrtho Cinéas. At the end of his first official visit to Haiti, the Minister announced a contribution of nearly US$6 million to the WFP School Feeding Programme.

“This generous support from Canada is a welcoming boost as children across Haiti prepare to begin the new school year assuring that children can concentrate in class and unleash their full potential,” said WFP Representative, George Heymell (l).

Salt bags at the WFP warehouse in Gonaives. Since 2010, Canada has donated nearly US$72 million to WFP operations in Haiti. To date, Canada remains WFP’s largest donor in Haiti.

Rice, beans, maize, vegetable oil and salt purchased with Canada’s contributions are distributed among the poorest and most food insecure families along with schools in rural areas. Here a mother prepares the school meal in the kitchen of the Baie d’Orange School, in Bell Anse. Out of the US$72 million donated by Canada to WFP since 2010, US$41 million were invested in the WFP School Feeding Programme.

As part of School Feeding, Canada also supports the distribution of take home rations, such as this one last April, to help families cope with the impact of hurricanes and prolonged droughts. This school girl receives her ration at the Village de L’Espoir School in Ganthier, Ouest Department. “Without these rations the classrooms would be empty,” said the School Principal, Elias Clovis.

Canada's contributions to WFP in 2012 helped feed more than 275,000 students per day in 919 schools between October 2012 and June 2013. School meals and take home rations motivate parents to send and keep their children in school, especially the girls, thus increasing enrolment and retention.

WFP Representative, George Heymell, addresses Minister Paradis and the Canadian delegation during the visit to the WFP warehouse in Gonaives, Haiti, on August 27, 2013.

Minister Paradis and his delegation listen to the WFP Representative, George Heymell, explain how Haitians use the SAFE Stove (WFP's Safe Access to Firewood and Alternative Energy). In Haiti, these stoves allow Haitian families to consume less firewood, enabling them to save the money they would otherwise spend on buying firewood, and also reduce deforestation.

Minister Paradis speaks to members of the Canadian delegation at the end of the WFP presentation.

From left to right: Myrtho Cinéas, head of the Haitian National School Feeding Programme, Minister Paradis and WFP Representative in Haiti, George Heymell, stand in front of salt bags, some of which are distributed in the SF Programme, one of the pillars of  WFP’s support to the local government.

Minister Christian Paradis (r) and WFP Representative, George Heymell, tour the WFP Warehouse in Gonaives, Haiti.