ISLAMABAD: The German government will provide one million euros to support relief activities being carried out by the World Food Programme (WFP) in northwest Pakistan through a project titled ‘enhancing food and nutrition security and rebuilding social cohesion’.

The project will ensure food security and nutrition of IDPs, support their return and facilitate recovery; restore and stabilise the nutritional status of vulnerable population in Pakistan’s most food-insecure areas; build community resilience through disaster risk reduction activities; and enhance national disaster risk management capacities.

The grant announced by the German Embassy in Islamabad on Thursday will enable the WFP to provide timely and sustained help to the IDPs who are in dire need of support.

Nutrition is a priority area and WFP programmes are designed to stem the decline in nutrition by treating and preventing acute malnutrition and preventing stunting, thereby addressing an urgent issue with considerable social and economic implications.

The ongoing military operation against Taliban has displaced significant parts of the population in that area. The goal of the project is to enhance food security and nutrition among vulnerable populations, support the government in building social cohesion in Fata.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2014