China supports WFP to improve nutrition for over 100,000 school children in the Kyrgyz Republic
BISHKEK – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, through the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), will provide nutritious school meals to more than 100,000 children in the Kyrgyz Republic. This marks CIDCA’s first multilateral initiative in the country and in Central Asia through its Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund.
To launch this initiative, a handover ceremony was held yesterday at the #86 School in Osh province in the south of the country, with the Ambassador of China in the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Liu Jiangping, the Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Osh region, Ilyas Tashbaev and the WFP Representative and Country Director in the Kyrgyz Republic, Kojiro Nakai.
“As a strategic partner of the Kyrgyz Republic, China has been supporting the country through bilateral channels, improving infrastructure and other sectors,” said H.E. Liu Jiangping, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kyrgyz Republic. “The support from CIDCA aims to enhance the National School Meals Programme via multilateral channels, which will complement China’s existing large-scale assistance and set a good example for South-South cooperation initiative.”
In 2025, 1,700 metric tons of fortified wheat flour, vegetable oil, rice and lentils will be delivered to 300 schools across Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken provinces. WFP and the Ministry of Education and Science selected these schools based on poverty levels and nutritional needs.
“WFP is grateful for this new contribution from the Government of China. This support will help address the serious micronutrient deficiencies affecting primary school children in three provinces. WFP remains committed to strengthening the school meals programme and contributing to the growth of a healthy and successful young generation,” said Kojiro Nakai, WFP Representative and Country Director.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Science and supported by WFP, the National School Meals Programme has already introduced nutritious meals in 920 schools across the country, with support from various donors. Each year, WFP not only supplies food but also upgrades school kitchen infrastructure, provides catering equipment and trains cooks to ensure the safe and nutritious preparation of meals.
Together, the Ministry of Education and Science, WFP, and their partners remain committed to further improving the National School Meals Programme, nourishing children for a healthier and brighter future.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
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