World Food Programme – Bolivia

I am so pleased to be writing again for the Global Team of 200. This is my second post, so far, and it really makes me feel so good to be able to share some great causes with you.

I have heard of the World Food Programme before. They have operations all over the world and that includes here in the Philippines. I am really happy about what they have done for marginalized women and children in the southern part of the country and hope that they’ll continue to provide assistance to more people worldwide.

One of the countries that World Food Programme helps is Bolivia. Did you know that Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in Latin America? The country is largely rural and of it’s 9.5 million population, 80% live below poverty line. Alarming! According to the WFP consumption and nutrition survey, over the last ten years, “stunting in children under 5 has remained at 27 percent nationally and 37 percent in rural areas, exceeding 40 percent in the most food-insecure municipalities”.

The main cause for food insecurity in Bolivia is access. It has been found that the income of 40 percent of the population is insufficient to even meet the basic food needs. In addition, since people rely heavily on subsistence agriculture and since there are frequent natural disasters, they experience food deficits, which affects children’s nutrition and leads to chronic malnutrition.

Food is one of man’s most basic needs. Without food, people can’t survive. Malnourished children’s bodies and brains will not reach their full potential. How can they learn what they’re supposed to learn in school when they’re too hungry to listen and participate? How can we expect them to lead better lives?

It’s a good thing then that WFP has created a programme to help the government of Bolivia better manage food-base programs. The three main objectives of the program are to “contribute to the reduction of child malnutrition; improve enrolment, attendance and capacity to concentrate and learn among primary schoolchildren and street children; and enhance emergency preparedness and response capacity”. This will be implemented in 52 priority municipalities identified by the Zero Malnutrition Programme of the government .

The three components of program are:

Component 1: Integrated Programme for Children aged 2 to 5

This aims to improve the nutrition status of 45,000 children ages  2 to 5 through the provision of on-site food aid, to be supplemented with fresh food from parents and the municipality.

Component 2: Support for the National School Feeding Programme

This aims to help 80,000 school-age children by improving their ability to concentrate and process information, thereby allowing them to continue to stay in school.

Component 3: Strengthening Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacities

This aims to help the country better prepare for and cope with natural disasters, which will then help provide a long-term solution to malnutrition.

Now, how can you help? YOU can also make a difference to these kids’ lives by donating to WFP. Help build a world without hunger. Your $1.00 can already fill four cups with delicious meals. Donate now!

If you wish to connect with these children in Bolivia, why not ask them a question? You can do that by clicking on the photo below.