June 23, 2012
Ottawa―Today, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced the Government of Canada's continued support for the United Nations World Food Programme's (WFP) School Feeding Program in Haiti. With the end of the school year approaching, Minister Oda is pleased that 1.1 million primary school students nationwide have been able to receive a hot meal every day to the end of the 2012 school year through this initiative.
"Canada is proud to support the School Feeding Program in Haiti to help prevent hunger and chronic malnutrition," said Minister Oda. "We know the WFP's school feeding approach has a direct impact on learning capacities and academic performance, which makes this initiative all the more valuable."
With the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), this program helps reduce nutritional deficits among schoolchildren, improve learning outcomes, and increase attendance in primary schools. The program promotes local agriculture by purchasing up to 25% of its rice requirements from local Haitian producers.
Today's announcement, totalling $15 million, delivers on Canada's objectives related to food security, as well as those related to children and youth. It will also help strengthen national school feeding efforts managed by the Haitian Ministry of Education.
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For more information, media should contact:
Justin Broekema
Press Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238
Email: justin.broekema@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
Email: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Twitter: @CIDA_CA
