On the direction of Chief Minister Punjab, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb held a meeting with Ms Coco Ushiyama, the Country Director of the World Food Program. On this occasion, it was decided to initiate the “One Thousand Days Program” to address nutritional deficiencies among stunted children.
To tackle the issue of controlling stunted growth in 8% of children compelled to attend school without breakfast, the School Meal Program will be launched, the senior minister added.
Speaking during the meeting, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that the establishment of the nutrition force is one of the priorities of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Emphasizing mutual cooperation regarding population planning, healthcare, sanitation, school education and the health of stunted children, Marriyum Aurangzeb mentioned that Punjab was a traditional food basket but unfortunately, many mothers and children were suffering from malnutrition. She highlighted that this social issue could be addressed through donors and partners’ collaboration.
The senior minister further stated that mechanization programs, food security and the provision of modern agricultural machinery to farmers were underway. The CM will soon launch the solid waste management program, starting with 16 major cities in the first phase. She revealed that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a multisectoral smog action plan will be implemented next week to address environmental challenges and smog reduction. The WFP representative expressed confidence in providing substantial assistance in university research and development on food scarcity, aquaculture farming, carbon financing, population growth, maternal and child health, environmental changes and capacity building for farmers.
