Experts regard National Zero Hunger Action Plan as timely initiative

Experts regard National Zero Hunger Action Plan as timely initiative

SLAMABAD: (24 April 2012) Appreciating Pakistan’s ‘National Zero Hunger Action Plan,’ experts believed that, the plan is right and timely initiative towards addressing hunger and malnutrition in the country. They also lauded government’s
recognition of food insecurity problem and said next step is the efficient implementation of plan in consultation and coordination with the provinces.

The speakers were discussing at a panel discussion on Pakistan’s “National Zero Hunger Action Plan” organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute here on Tuesday. Mr. Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, Senior Research Associate, SDPI
moderated the proceedings.

Participants were informed that Zero Hunger plan is five year program that aims to reach to a total of 61 million food insecure people across the country with a total cost of 16 billion US dollars. The program includes provision
of nutritious and fortified food commodities to most food insecure and vulnerable sections of society particularly malnourished children, pregnant women and primary school children. The program also features school feed programme and establishment of ‘zero
hunger shops’ in 45 extremely food insecure districts in Pakistan.

Kevin Gallagher, Country Representative, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Islamabad said that Zero Hunger Plan is in compliance of governments obligations under the right to food which entails provision of
nutritious food for everyone. He appreciated the Zero Hunger Plan and said, it would provide opportunities to vulnerable people which also place conditional obligation on them to secure food by their own.

Jean-Luc Siblot, Country Representative, World Food Programme (WFP), Islamabad appreciated the efforts of government of Pakistan in combating food insecurity and launch of Zero Hunger Plan. This, he said, reflects very high level
of commitment towards addressing hunger and WFP will continue its support towards the successful accomplishment of Zero Hunger Plan.

Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI deliberated that food security is not ensured through surplus production rather it demands adequate physical availability, socio-economic access and absorption of nutritious food
to meet dietary requirements of everyone.  He said, it’s good that after consistent denials, government has acknowledged food insecurity as a problem. “We cannot progress in a situation where more than half of our population is food insecure, anemic and malnourished,”
he went on to add. He also cited a study by DFID which reveals that economic cost of Iodine and vitamin deficiency in Pakistan equals to 2.5percent of GDP.

Talking of Zero Hunger Plan, he said, it faces many real challenges but we can learn from Brazil, Indonesia and Mexico where these programmes are running successfully. He said, the most immediate challenges are related to governance,
institutional arrangements, division of responsibilities between federation and provinces and pilferages and mobilization of resources.

Dr. Ch. Inayat of Ministry of National Food Security and Research informed participants that Zero Hunger Action Plan was drafted after a very rigorous process of consultations with various stake holders. He said, the plan envisions
a prosperous and hunger free Pakistan with Food Security achieved at every household. He also shared components of Zero Hunger Plan such as policy reforms, establishment of National Food Security Council, targeted social safety nets, capacity building of ministry,
and partnership with international agencies.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=20186

Posted by Fayyaz Yaseen on Apr 24 2012. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan, World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry