Receiving an education is a characteristic of childhood all around the world. But for children suffering from hunger, enjoying all the benefits education can offer may not be possible. While education is vital for integrating into society, the need for food outweighs the need for education. Food falls under the category of physiological needs, the basis of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, making it a number one priority. Once hunger is remedied, children can focus on education. For schoolchildren in Yemen, where 2.2 million children under the age of 5 suffer from malnutrition, a nutritious school lunch can make all the difference. The World Food Program (WFP) in collaboration with Hayel Saeed Anam Group and Tetra Pak is providing school meals to help children reach their full potential.

Why Feeding Programs Matter

School feeding programs positively impact children and their families on multiple levels. The promise of a school lunch increases enrollment and attendance and often results in better cognition and educational achievement. The fresh produce needed from local farmers for these lunches drives demand, increasing the diversity and availability of local produce as well as increasing the income and food security of households. Children also carry the long-term benefits of better health and productivity into adulthood.

The Critical Situation

With one of the highest child malnutrition rates in the world and 17 million people facing food insecurity, Yemen’s situation is dire. Eight years of civil war have exacerbated initial food production challenges and water scarcity. In such unstable conditions, consistently receiving a meal at school keeps children in the classroom and brings them a sense of normality.

While schools in urban areas are better equipped to handle many students, classrooms averaging 40 to 50 children, Yemen’s rural areas suffer from a lack of resources to fix schools often damaged by conflict. Providing school meals in these areas impacts the morale and health of students immensely.

WFP Leads Feeding Efforts

WFP launched its school meals program in Yemen in 2018, with a focus on the first 8,000 days of childhood, according to WFP. Initially serving 110,000 students per month, the program has grown to accommodate 600,000 monthly and expects to grow further in the coming years. The meals provide the necessary nutrients needed to prevent diseases and increase focus in the classroom. They also provide incentives for families to keep their children in school when they otherwise might send them to work to contribute to the family income.

The fortified, shelf-stable biscuits the WFP distributes through school feeding programs in Yemen provide a boost of energy. Locally sourced date bars are also on the menu. Utilizing local produce promotes agricultural development and improves the economy. The economic benefits increase when school meals are provided, as parents can focus on investing in their family’s livelihoods.

HSA Group and Tetra Pak Join Forces to Distribute Fortified Milk

A new partnership is working alongside school feeding programs in Yemen to solve the hunger problem. Yemen’s largest private company, Hayel Saeed Anam (HSA) Group and packaging company Tetra Pak have joined forces to create a school milk initiative. Their initiative will provide fortified milk to 10,000 children in Yemeni schools daily.

Tetra Pak’s aseptic packaging keeps milk fresh for up to 12 months, reducing the impact of distribution delays from transport challenges caused by damaged infrastructure. Meanwhile, HSA Group’s Humanitarian Development Program manages the distribution of the milk to schools in collaboration with UNICEF and the WFP.

Tackling the issue of hunger is daunting, but school feeding programs in Yemen are making progress. The WFP’s country director in Yemen, Stephen Anderson, has heard from many adult Yemenis who have expressed gratitude for the school meal program’s positive impact on their childhoods. “For them, this is something good in their past. They know someone made an investment in them,” says Anderson.

– Isabella Rothe
Photo: Flickr