Tunisia
- 26%
- of people living in rural areas are poor
- 28%
- of children under 5 and pregnant and nursing women suffer from anaemia
- 11.4 million
- population
Since the 2011 Jasmin revolution, Tunisia has made steady progress in consolidating its democracy, with a new constitution adopted in 2014 and successful legislative and presidential elections.
While hunger levels in the country are defined as low by the Global Hunger Index, a stagnant economy, high unemployment rates, regional disparities and dependence on cereal imports challenge the ability of the most vulnerable to ensure an appropriate, nutritious diet.
Despite considerable progress in addressing malnutrition over the past decades, Tunisia faces overlapping nutrition problems including deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, and obesity. Anaemia, or iron deficiency, is estimated at 28 percent for children under 5 and for pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls.
What the World Food Programme is doing in Tunisia
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School meals
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WFP’s support to the Government includes the developing and upgrading normative guidelines, including on nutrition and hygiene, and a manual for school gardens; supporting communities in the rehabilitation, upgrade and equipment of school canteens; and training cooks and school staff.
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Community resilience
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WFP promotes links between schools and local smallholder farmers’ groups, especially rural women’s community-based organizations, to promote the use of locally produced foods, contribute to job creation and enhance local economies.
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Women's empowerment
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WFP encourages the prioritization of women’s organizations in the farming of school gardens, giving them access to the school meals supply chain.
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Social cohesion and stability
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WFP supports the Government in the implementation of a multidimensional school meals strategy, which promotes social cohesion and the children’s attachment to their land and nation, as part of a long-term, educational and cultural approach to advancing peace and stability.
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South-South cooperation
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WFP promotes the sharing of school meals experiences and models in the Middle East and Africa region and through its Centre of Excellence against Hunger.
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Tunisia