World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

The Government of Nicaragua, through the Ministry of Education, started the School Feeding Programme with the transfer of food to 10,000 schools in 153 municipalities ahead of the beginning of the 2013 school year. The Vice Minister of Education, José Treminio (left) and WFP Country Director, Helmut W. Rauch, along with parents, students and teachers participated in a ceremony to mark this event.

One million 50,000 children of all public pre-schools and primary schools will start receiving their hot meals on 11 February when the school year begins in Nicaragua. "Food is essential so that children can do their best and also to be able to build the Nicaragua we all dream of," said Vice Minister of Education, José Treminio.

The World Food Programme (WFP) contributes to the School Feeding Programme in Nicaragua by providing meals for 180,000 children. WFP Country Director, Helmut W. Rauch, and WFP Head of Logistics, Sandra Torres, check a truck load of food enroute to the schools across the country.

WFP Country Director, the Vice Minister of Education and Amalia Rufina Acuña have a friendly talk after the ceremony. Amalia claims that children "love the school meal". She is in charge of 120 preschool children of a community preschool in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua.

“I congratulate all Nicaraguans because we confirm once again that policies on behalf of the population are bearing fruit, and we will ensure food for little children "tummies" (stomachs). On empty “tummies”, children have problems concentrating on their lessons," said WFP Country Director in Nicaragua.

WFP receives contributions from the international community to accompany the Government of Nicaragua in the implementation of the School Feeding Programme. Last year, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Japan and Great Britain, as well as private companies such as Yum! Brands and TNT and other private donors, made contributions to the programme.