ADDIS ABABA- (ENA) Addis Ababa city school feeding program is a role model for global replication that can also be exported to other cities across the world, Milan Urban Food Policy Pact Representatives remarked.
The Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP) is an international agreement among cities from all over the world, committed to develop sustainable food systems that are inclusive, resilient, safe and diverse.
Representatives of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact from different countries visited school feeding program as well as community feeding centers in Addis Ababa on Friday.
The representatives emphasized the significance of both the school feeding program and community feeding centers, noting that these initiatives provide students and vulnerable community members with essential nutritious food vital for their mental and physical development.
Head of the MUFPP Secretariat at City of Milan, Filippo Gavazzeni, told ENA that he came to Addis Ababa along with MUFPP representatives of other countries to see how the school feeding and community feeding programs work, stressing the model is praiseworthy that can be also exported to other countries.
“So, this field visit in the school and feeding centers will be very useful. I think that the role of the mayor on school meals can be a guide for other cities in Africa to develop or improve the school feeding program,” the head said.
Moreover, the head appreciated the commitment of Mayor Adanech Abiebie and effort of Addis Ababa City Administration at large for promoting free school meals and community feeding centers in the city.
Nutrition, Wellness and School Feeding Director at Nairobi City County, Esther Mogusu on her part underlined that the school feeding program helps students to be better in their studies and improve overall performances of their lives.
She praised the government and Mayor of Addis Ababa for initiating the school feeding program, emphasizing food is a very important aspect for children since it provides them nutrition that increases enrollment in school and improves their cognitive performance which lead them to be more productive citizens of the country.
“We know that food is very important for children because it provide nutrition; from a very young age, it increases their enrollment in school; it also prevents absenteeism in school; it helps the children to have better concentration in class; improves cognitive performance; and also to have a more productive population in Ethiopia,” Mogusu stated.
Senior Associate at Global Alliance for Improved Nitration (Gain) Kenya Office, Maureen Muketha, said the school feeding initiative of the government of Ethiopia is an investment on future generation of the country.
The program delivers comprehensive nutritious meals to young children, who are crucial to the future and progress of modern Ethiopia, she noted.
She underscored that “these young children are able to get comprehensive nutritious meal. It is really good to see that the government of Ethiopia is looking at investing in the future; because, these are future doctors, lawyers, prime ministers of Ethiopia. So, keep it up Ethiopian government!”
Launched as a pilot project in 2019, Addis Ababa school feeding initiative has evolved into a standard practice, benefiting students across public elementary schools in the city.
The Ethiopian Herald October 13/2024
