Bissau, Dec. 2, 2024 (Lusa) - The Government of Japan has boosted its support for school meals in Guinea-Bissau, which will reach 200,000 pupils, 22,000 more than the number covered so far by the World Food Programme (WFP) initiative.
The new agreement was made official on Monday in Bissau and provides US$1.27 million (€1.21 million) which will allow the WFP to purchase 101 tonnes of canned fish and 546 tonnes of rice from Japan.
These foods, according to those responsible, will guarantee "hot, nutritious meals for 200,000 children in 850 schools from next school year for two years.
Japan's aid will support Guinea-Bissau's National School Canteen Programme, which is already benefiting from an identical agreement, formalised in January this year, for the supply of 247 tonnes of canned fish to 178,000 primary school pupils.
From next school year, the number of children covered will increase to 200,000.
Guinea-Bissau's Minister of National Education, Herry Mané, thanked Japan for its support and commitment to supporting the nutrition and education of Guinea-Bissau's children.
"The Government of Japan has been an unconditional partner in supporting Guinea-Bissau's development efforts," said the minister at the signing ceremony.
The minister stressed that "the continued cooperation of the people of Japan for the school canteen programme, together with the commitment of the World Food Programme (WFP) has a tangible impact on the lives of schoolchildren, ensuring that they are nourished and ready to learn".
"School feeding is a present investment, with a significant impact in the medium and long term for our children and consequently for the development of the country's human capital and economy," he declared.
This support from Japan also makes it possible to buy food products from local producers, according to the WFP, which is preparing to hand over the management of school meals to the Guinea-Bissau government.
The new agreement was signed in Bissau by the Minister of National Education, the Japanese Ambassador to Senegal, Izawa Osamu, and the WFP representative, Claude Kakule.
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