Pakistan and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have agreed to align major child nutrition and welfare programmes under a single framework, marking a significant step towards a more coordinated national response to poverty and food insecurity.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah and WFP Country Director Ms. Coco Ushiyama.
The proposed framework will bring together the government’s Nashunuma nutrition programme with Schools for Rehabilitation of Child Labour (SRCL) and Women Empowerment Centres (WeCs) under Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, with the aim of ensuring that nutrition, education, and social protection reach vulnerable children and women in a connected and meaningful way.
The discussion also placed Pakistan’s efforts within the context of the Global Alliance on Hunger and Poverty, underscoring the importance of aligning national programmes with global commitments to end hunger and reduce poverty.
School-based nutrition initiatives, including the school meals programme were reviewed as practical measures to improve child nutrition while supporting school attendance.
Climate-related threats to food security were also discussed, particularly the increasing risk of floods, with emphasis on strengthening coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to improve preparedness and early response.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deliver social protection and nutrition support in a way that is simpler, better coordinated, and focused on real outcomes for families and children.
