The Government of Pakistan partners with WFP and MI to address micronutrient deficiencies

On 29 July 2014, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced that it would extend its agreement with Micronutrient Initiative (MI). This agreement enables the continuation of its food fortification programme with the Government of Pakistan, and to advocate for the need to address micronutrient-related malnutrition among the people of Pakistan.

“WFP’s partnership with MI, in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan and the food industry, will sustain and intensify ongoing efforts for food fortification in Pakistan, aiming to holistically target every aspect of the operation from the policy level to the supply chains and via demand creation,” said Peter Scott-Bowden, Deputy Country Director of WFP Pakistan.

The latest National Nutrition Survey (2011) identified the salt iodization programme as a successful nutrition intervention due to strong government ownership of the programme and the active participation of WFP, MI and other partners such as UNICEF and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

The collaboration also aims to strengthen public and private sector capacities at national, provincial and district levels to locally produce fortified food, provide technical assistance and advocate for national food and nutrition policies that address micronutrient deficiencies.

Read more about the extension at WFP