WFP in Pakistan

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, August 6, 2021: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Elementary & Secondary Education Department (E&SED) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province are working together to provide cash assistance to families of adolescent girls hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Since September 2020, more than 16,000 adolescent girl students between grades 6 to 10 in 232 government girls’ middle and high schools in all seven Newly Merged Districts and six sub-divisions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Educating every child especially girls is a key priority of the provincial government. We are pleased to implement this pilot project with the support of the World Food Program

. Together, we hope this large-scale cash stipend program can reach every enrolled adolescent girl to help them and their families meet their food and nutrition needs during this challenging time of COVID-19,” said the Secretary Education, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

 

Pakistan has the world’s second-highest number of out-of-school children. Socio-cultural and economic factors, along with challenges such as limited availability of schools hamper the access and retention of adolescent girls in schools. This situation has been exacerbated by additional economic hardship brought on by the pandemic.

“Secondary-level education rates of girl students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are among the lowest in the country. WFP introduced cash-based assistance as a safety net to not only help the families cope with the economic downturns of the pandemic, but also encourage parents to send their girls to school and make sure they stay in school. By doing so, we contribute to the health and development of adolescent girls today, and a build brighter future for them and their country tomorrow,” said Chris Kaye, WFP Pakistan Country Director.

 

In addition to the cash assistance, WFP has donated IT equipment, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), handwashing stations with soap, as well as nutrition and education booklets and leaflets, and awareness banners to the Education Department to help its staff, teachers and students stay safe from COVID-19.