WFP Senior Representative visits Timor-Leste to step up collaboration on food security and nutrition
Against a backdrop of rising food costs and successive climatic and economic shocks, Stanlake Samkange, WFP’s Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, arrived in Timor-Leste today for a four-day mission to strengthen WFP’s joint efforts working with the Government of Timor-Leste and other key stakeholders on food security and nutrition.
During the visit, he will discuss how food security and nutrition can be addressed through shared investments in agriculture and water management, nutrition-sensitive value chains and human capital development. He will meet with the country’s top food security and nutrition advocates, including the President of the Republic of Timor-Leste H.E. Jose Ramos Horta and Vice Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Mariano ‘Assanami’ Sabino Lopes.
As part of the mission, Samkange will travel to Baucau municipality to observe progress on WFP-supported fortified rice production and the benefits of linking agricultural with education investments through government school meal programmes supported by WFP with funding from the Korean International Cooperation Agency. He will be accompanied by a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, and the Asian Development Bank.
“WFP is committed to supporting the Government of Timor-Leste’s mission to develop human capital and eradicate hunger and malnutrition. Smart investments in local food production and healthy diets are essential to building human capital and ensuring inclusive economic growth and prosperity,” said Samkange on his arrival.
WFP has been working in Timor-Leste since 1999. WFP works with communities and the Government to strengthen existing programmes and fill programmatic gaps that address the availability, access, and affordability of diverse, nutritious foods. WFP’s newly revised Country Strategic Plan sets out a twin track approach to enhance food systems and their contribution to food security using climate smart, evidence based and nutrition sensitive approaches.
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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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