WFP pledges to enhance coop with govt on mitigating food insecurity

The World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday pledged to cooperate more closely with the Bangladesh government on addressing the food security crisis in the country.

During a courtesy meeting with government officials, a WFP delegation also praised the BNP-led government’s initiatives taken to support women-children’s rights, and enhance social safety net.

WFP Country Director Simone Parchment led the five-member delegation in the meeting with Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain at the National Parliament Secretariat.

During the meeting, AZM Zahid Hossain discussed in detail the government’s ongoing initiatives regarding social safety net programs, the development of women and children, food security for the poor and underprivileged, and nutritional improvement.

The Minister stated that the current government is committed to implementing its electoral manifesto.

He further said that ensuring women’s empowerment, rights, dignity, and economic independence is one of the government’s key commitments toward achieving national development and social justice. As part of this, within 21 days of forming the government, the “Family Card” program was implemented on a pilot basis, distributing 37,814 cards in the names of female heads of households.

Praising the long-standing cooperation between the Government of Bangladesh and the WFP, the Minister said that WFP has played a highly significant role in food assistance, nutrition programs, and emergency relief activities for disaster-affected and poor populations.

He also mentioned that the current government has prioritized the empowerment of women and children, improving the living standards of marginalized and disadvantaged communities, and ensuring food security. He expressed hope that closer collaboration with WFP in the future would help make social protection programs more effective and expansive.

In particular, discussions were held on the potential for joint initiatives in providing nutritional support to poor mothers, improving children’s health and education, promoting inclusive development for persons with disabilities, and delivering food assistance to those affected by climate change-related disasters.