WFP AND HARYANA GOVT SIGN LOU ON STRENGTHENING ICDS, WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT IN HARYANA

CHANDIGARH: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in India and the Government of Haryana have signed a Letter of Understanding (LoU) to increase the nutritional effectiveness of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and promote women’s empowerment in Haryana.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr Sumita Misra (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Women & Child Development, Govt of Haryana, between Ms Monica Malik (IAS), Director of Women and Child Development, Government of Haryana, and Ms Elisabeth Faure, Representative and Country Director WFP in India.

“The partnership will contribute to the government’s commitment towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 2 of Zero Hunger in the state. Several activities are planned to strengthen the ongoing programme and efforts to make them efficient and effective,” said Dr Sumita Misra.

“Increasing the nutritional effectiveness of the ICDS through the production of nutritious and quality assured Take Home Rations in a bid to address malnutrition and anaemia while focusing on capacity strengthening on gender equity and empowerment on, the introduction of innovations will be some of the critical aspects of this partnership with WFP,” Ms Monica Malik.

“We are very excited about this partnership between WFP and Haryana government. The LoU will pave the direction for collaboration around the government’s existing interventions, policies, and priorities,” said Ms Elisabeth Faure.

Over the next three years, WFP and the Haryana government will partner to establish a THR production unit with the Department of Women & Child Development to increase the nutritional effectiveness of ICDS. WFP will also provide technical assistance to strengthen capacity in gender equity and empowerment.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change. WFP has been working in India since 1963, with work transitioning from food distribution to technical assistance since the country achieved self-sufficiency in cereal production.